MyLesen Programme Will Be Expanded To Include Bus Drivers

The Transport Ministry hopes to expand the MyLesen programme by issuing public service vehicle (PSV) class E licences for buses in order to keep the bus service industry competitive and safe. According to Transport Minister Anthony Loke, this is due to a shortage of bus drivers in the country, as reported by bus service operators. "We are indeed short of bus drivers, whether they are stage bus drivers or express bus drivers; I was made to understand that bus industry operators are having difficulty not only finding but also retaining bus drivers."

"We want to produce efficient, prudent drivers through the MyLesen programme to ensure that the bus service industry can also be competitive and safe, which is important." "We expect to implement this programme for bus drivers this year as well," he said.

The MyLesen B2 programme was launched to assist the B40 group in obtaining a Class B2 licence, and it is one of the initiatives implemented by the Transport Ministry through the Road Transport Department (JPJ) under the 2023 Budget. Meanwhile, Loke stated that candidates who are qualified to become bus drivers will be chosen to attend classes at driving institutes and take tests, with the government covering all costs in order to produce a sufficient number of trained bus drivers. He also did not deny that many bus drivers in the country left for higher-paying jobs in neighbouring countries such as Singapore. "This is also why we have a shortage of bus drivers," he explained. "We intend to implement a programme to train and licence more bus drivers."

He also stated that a total of RM2.7 million has been allocated in the MyLesen B2 programme, with 9,000 candidates from the B40 group expected to benefit from the initiative.

"The cost of testing and training is RM300 per candidate." Today, 306 candidates will attend the programme for this first group across the country. "We are also willing to collaborate with other agencies, including the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, to expand this bus programme, but funding must come from the respective agencies," he said.