PUTRAJAYA: The Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB) has started issuing 1,000 temporary express bus permits in anticipation of the Hari Raya balik kampung exodus.
 
Entrepreneur and Co-operative Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Khaled Nordin said the number of permits was higher compared with previous years as regular bus services were expected to be affected because some bus companies were facing problems hiring drivers.
 
This follows strict enforcement by government agencies in the wake of the Bukit Gantang express bus crash which claimed the lives of 22 people.
 
In previous years, the board issued some 750 temporary permits.
 
Speaking at his office here yesterday, Khaled said approvals for temporary permits would be given on the spot as long as conditions laid down by the board, an agency under his ministry, were met.
 
Applications for the permits can be made now at CVLB offices. "More temporary permits will be given out as we want everyone to be able to balik kampung to celebrate Hari Raya.
 
"Operators of bus companies, tour, stage, school and factory buses can come to any CVLB office to apply," said Khaled, adding that the permits would only be issued to buses less than 12 years old.

Khaled said operators issued with temporary permits were allowed to increase the ticket price by RM5.
 
"But operators must be fully responsible for their drivers as they will be held accountable in the event of accidents."
 
Khaled said the board’s control room would be open round the clock during Hari Raya to enable passengers to lodge complaints.
 
On another matter, he said the board’s request for the power to prosecute errant bus companies would be discussed with the Public Service Department after Hari Raya Aidilfitri.