The number of school buses in the duty-free island of labuan is declining from 130 to only 20 units to serve in the 26 schools for 14,495 students.

The decline was attributed to the various problems faced by the operators including the bus fare, permit fee and the absence of subsidy.

Labuan School Bus Operators Association (LSBOA) chairperson Asroh Sukardi said the association would bring up the issue to the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB) to look into the matter seriously in resolving the plight of parents.

“The reality is that school bus operators are going through a drop in business. Operational costs keep rising while the bus fare has not increased for many years, unlike other commercial transporters and passenger ferry operators who are enjoying a 50 percent subsidy,” he told Bernama today.

Asroh said there is a high demand for school buses but most parents opted to rely on public transport, unlicensed transport, and drive their kids to school due to fewer school buses.

- Bernama