KUALA LUMPUR: A Majlis Amanah Rakyat Corporation (Mara Corp) subsidiary has called on the Transport Ministry to defer the implementation of a ruling allowing express bus tickets to be sold only through licensed terminals.
Mara Liner, an express and stage bus operator, also asked the ministry to engage industry players, terminal operators and other stakeholders before the ruling comes into effect on Nov 1.
In a statement, Mara Liner chief executive officer Wan Agyl Wan Hassan said the company understood the government's aim of strengthening terminal management and improving the passenger experience and ticketing arrangements.
"At the same time, it is important that the implementation process takes into account the operational requirements of bus operators, existing ticketing arrangements, technical readiness and potential implications for passengers," he said.
Wan Agyl said dialogue would allow stakeholders to share their views, clarify implementation requirements and find practical solutions.
He said this was why the Transport Ministry should defer implementation of the policy pending further engagement with stakeholders.
"This would help ensure a smooth transition, minimise potential operational disruptions and provide sufficient clarity for all parties involved."
Yesterday, the New Straits Times reported that the new ruling by the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad), which falls under the Transport Ministry's purview, had caught bus operators and ticketing agents by surprise.
Malaysian Bus Operators Association president Datuk Mohamad Ashfar Ali said the change had raised concerns among operators who had invested in developing their own websites and ticketing systems to facilitate ticket purchases.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd