Express buses on journeys exceeding 300km must have second driver

Express buses going on routes longer than 300km must have a second driver for passenger safety.

Penang Road Transport director Zulkifly Ismail said the regulation also applies to journeys exceeding four hours to ensure drivers get enough rest, thereby reducing the risk of accidents, especially fatal ones.

“Express buses on journeys exceeding 300km require a second driver, but many express bus operators fail to provide this.

“The normal reason we get is that the second driver will take over at the next terminal, but the rule stipulates that two drivers are required when starting the journey,” he told reporters after a special Hari Raya operation on express buses at the Penang Sentral Bus Terminal last night.

Zulkifly said express buses found travelling without a second driver would not be allowed to start their journey.

He also said that in the operation, conducted from April 1 until yesterday, checks were made on 121 buses and action was taken on five for not having a second driver.

“Overall, a total of 4,553 vehicles were inspected and 1,377 summonses were issued for various offences, with action taken against 790 vehicles, 37 of them were confiscated,” he added.

The operation would continue until April 20.

- Bernama

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