Thousands Of Buses Running Illegally On Rented Permits – PPBBM

The Bumiputera Express Bus Operators Association (PPBBM) says thousands of express and tour buses are running illegally on rented permits, breaking the Land Public Transport Act 2010. 

PPBBM chairman Zainal Abidin Mehat said this long-standing issue only gained serious attention after the tragic crash near Gerik that killed 15 UPSI students.

According to Zainal, some bus operators purchase second-hand buses and operate them under permits obtained from other companies due to the significant upfront costs and the numerous procedures required by the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) or the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture (MOTAC).


"There are even companies that own dozens or hundreds of permits and take advantage by leasing them out, whether for express or tour buses, at a rate of RM500 per month per permit, raking in tens of thousands of ringgit monthly," he says in a BH report.

Despite repeated complaints, permit leasing remains widespread due to strong demand. Operators buy old buses for RM70k–RM100k, repaint them, and use them as express or tour buses under leased permits.

"They lack the proper knowledge to become legitimate operators and are only chasing fast money, with little concern for the safety of future passengers.

"If the fatal crash on the Gerik-Jeli road hadn't occurred, this issue might never have been exposed, even though in reality it involves thousands of buses across the country.

"They're also crafty, during APAD enforcement operations, these buses are kept off the road temporarily to avoid detection for operating under permits belonging to other companies.

"That's why sometimes you'll see one company name on the bus body and another on the permit," he says,  urging the government to take firmer and more drastic action against bus operators using leased permits.