| Azlan Othman |
PUBLIC bus operators have been urged to offer concessionary bus fees for the elderly, offer free rides to children going to school and to introduce season and student passes.
Minister of Communications Dato Paduka Awang Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat made this call yesterday as he met with the media during a work visit to the Bandar Seri Begawan Central Bus Station. He also called on operators to emphasise on cleanliness, discipline and to be presentable.
“We are hoping bus operators can offer concessionary bus fees for the elderly to travel. There have been many incidences of road traffic accidents involving those 70 years and above. We are introducing public bus services with a lower floor to assist the elderly carrying goodies. The whole idea is to make travelling easier.”
To further facilitate efficient bus services from the current fleet available, an additional 14 lower floor buses are expected to arrive within the next eight months by operators such as Setenaga from a cooperative from Kg Tanjong Nangka; Tasammul – a cooperative from Kg Lumapas, ABDS and PHLS bus operators.
“Children can also ride the bus for free, accompanied by their parents, which would help encourage them to use public transportation,” he added.
We emphasise the important role bus operators’ play in promoting the good image of the Sultanate, and we urge them to be more responsible in properly portraying public transportation.
Minister of Communications Dato Paduka Awang Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat at the BSB Central Bus Station. – PHOTOS: AZLAN OTHMAN
Dato Paduka Awang Haji Mustappa speaks to the media as Land Transport Director Dr Haji Supry bin Haji Ladi, left, looks on
We urge operators to prioritise services, cleanliness, discipline and presentation. In doing so, we can convince the public to use the bus as a convenient means to move from one place to another. We are also trying our best efforts to lure more tourists to visit the Sultanate.
We would like to encourage the public to utilise public transportation more often. On the part of the bus drivers and operators, we want them to offer public transportation that is attractive, clean, reliable, dependable and so on.
Dato Paduka Awang Haji Mustappa also said they are also introducing facilities like season and student passes. We are trying our efforts to improve and enhance the public bus and we are working hard on it with the bus operators.
Aside from this, bus stops and road systems too need to be improved to ensure bus travels are more attractive and pleasant to do. There are still many areas that need developing, that require long-term planning. The routing has more or less been established.
“We are going to work with the private sector on how much they could come up with the resources. The government has its own plan for this year and the years to come. We are looking into the idea of procuring buses to serve the inter district bus services to offer better bus services, thus improving bus services in the Sultanate.
He also urged motorists not to crowd bus stop areas, which inconveniences bus drivers when dropping off passengers.
“This is not good and I am appealing to the public not to use the bus stop as a parking site,” he added.
Also present yesterday was Land Transport Director Dr Haji Supry bin Haji Ladi.
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