EXPRESS bus associations have clashed once more with the Transport Ministry, a recurring cycle for two decades.
Historically, they have been structural conflicts, as the government pushes for centralised regulation but operators struggle for financial stability and operational flexibility.
Previously, the two locked horns over the regulated fare structure.
The Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association demanded a hike in ceiling fares, citing soaring operational costs, inflation and higher spending on vehicle maintenance. But the ministry insisted on regulating economy fares though temporary concessions during peak periods.
Consequently, operators reduced the number of standard economy buses and turned to "unregulated" executive or VIP ones at uncapped ticket prices.
There has been no development yet on moves to liberalise economy fares for a "win-win" policy that balances safety, service quality and profitability with passenger burdens.
Last year, another clash erupted. The Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) ordered buses to transition to Terminal Bersepadu Selatan to weed out ticket touts. It meant that picking up passengers directly from hotels or malls would incur penalties.
Associations countered that the Apad move, on top of charging hefty terminal facility fees, squeezes already thin profit margins. In the latest clash, Apad ordered that express bus tickets be sold only through licensed terminals from Nov 1.
Previously, passengers purchased tickets from terminals, online ticketing agents or operators' websites. Operators are aghast at giving up their sales options but the ministry's rationale is that it wants to curb unauthorised ticket sales and bring order to a chaotic industry.
The new system aims to reduce confusion, disputes and the risk of falling victim to unscrupulous ticket sellers.
Many online travel agencies are also based overseas, making it difficult to intervene after service failures, cancellations or refund disputes.
The Apad system aims to reduce unnecessary costs and improve returns for operators. Still, these reforms must be implemented sensibly without dismissing operators' concerns, especially as they have invested heavily in their own online booking systems.
They also fear the new ticketing system may create a monopoly that raises overheads and slashes profit margins.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke has promised engagement with operators to clarify the new rules, including how they can still maintain their websites and other digital utilities.
Nevertheless, the ministry noted that operators, not passengers, still pay digital service charges while terminal operators cannot charge above existing rates.
While the operators' angst is understandable, they still face driver shortages and aging buses alongside high-profile accidents.
At the same time, streamlining ticket sales ensures better crowd control, efficient schedules and accountability.
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