The salary of between RM807 to RM1,286 paid to stage bus drivers in Malacca has brought a new lease of life for them, as well as lift them above the poverty threshold, the Malacca state assembly was told today.

State Transport, Information, Unity and Consumers Committee chairperson Ghazale Muhamad said the drivers were paid the new salary effective last month after Panorama Melaka Culture & Tourism (PMCT) Sdn Bhd took over the stage bus service.

“We did a survey and found that almost all the drivers are happy with the salary and treatment given to them,” he said in response to a supplementary question from Ab Rahaman Ab Karim (BN- Pantai Kundor) during the state assembly sitting in Malacca today.

Ghazale said the government had also decided to re-employ drivers from the previous bus company to work with PMCT.

 To another supplementary question, Ghazale said the government had no plans yet to change the name ‘Panorama’ or the brown and red colour of the bus to blue and white as suggested by Ab Rahaman.

On the suggestion for senior citizens and persons with disabilities to be given free rides, he said the matter would be discussed later.

At the moment, PMCT is focusing on ensuring satisfactory service to the people, he added.

- Bernama