KUALA LUMPUR: Transport minister Loke Siew Fook today said that express bus operators would not be worse off under new rules restricting ticket sales to licensed terminals.
Loke said the measures were intended to regulate online ticketing agents, many of which were based overseas and collected commissions without providing terminal services.
He said these agents were not licensed by the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad), making it difficult for the authorities to address operational issues, including refunds when bus services are not provided.
"If the service is not provided, or there are issues with refunds, we cannot regulate them," he said at a press conference at the Transport Expo Asia 2026 here.
The new ruling by Apad states that express bus tickets are to be sold only through licensed terminals from Nov 1.
The move drew criticism from the Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association, whose president, Ashfar Ali, said operators had not been consulted and raised concerns over fare competition and investments in existing booking systems.
On a separate matter, Loke said the transport ministry was drafting amendments to the Land Public Transport Act 2010 to address offences including cable theft.
He said the proposed amendments were still being prepared and would be referred to the Attorney-General’s Chambers for review.
However, Loke stressed that tougher penalties would not solve the problem without effective preventive measures.
He said Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd and other rail operators were exploring the use of preventive technologies, including CCTV monitoring, to curb cable theft.