The Peninsular Malaysia Transport Workers Union (TWU) has urged bus and lorry transport companies to change the work system of drivers to prevent another tragedy.

TWU secretary-general Zainal Rampak said the union had raised the proposal several times, but it was not considered by the parties responsible, especially bus and lorry companies which were not regulated by the union.

Taking the example of the express bus tragedy which claimed 14 lives in Pagoh, Johor, last Saturday, Zainal proposed bus and lorry operators abolish the driver commission system as it was seen as profiteering, without any consideration for the safety of passengers and other motorists.

"The system only pressures low-income drivers to make as many trips as possible, without rest, to earn a higher commission to meet the current rising cost of living.

"As such, we urge express bus and lorry transport operators to raise the salaries of drivers to ensure they focused on their driving to ensure the safety of passengers and other road users," Zainal (photo) said in a statement yesterday.

He also proposed that the government considers raising express bus fares in future as the cost of public transport maintenance and insurance coverage were getting higher.

Zainal said even though the government took the initiative to set up an investigation body each time a major road accident occurred, there were no significant changes, in fact the number of fatal accidents continued to rise.

"As such, enforcement agencies involved in the issue should be more aggressive to assure the safety of local and foreign passengers using public transport in the country," he said.

Zainal also stressed that express buses and container lorries that provide long distance service should be monitored so that they complied with the existing laws of having two drivers and the required six-hour rest before the next trip.

"Bus and lorry companies must send their trip schedule and list of two drivers to Spad before starting operations to prevent any major tragedies on the road," he said.

According to him, Puspakom should conduct technical inspection more aggressively on buses and lorries to ensure the tyres and brakes of such vehicles meet the required standards.

- Bernama