A PASSENGER claimed that he was stranded by the roadside along with his mother after being dropped off by an express bus driver in Seremban, Negri Sembilan.
Dineshwaran Palani said the express bus operator had informed them that the bus from Larkin Terminal in Johor Baru would stop in two locations — Yong Peng and Seremban — when he bought the tickets.
The bus, however, did not stop in Seremban, but proceeded to Terminal Bersepadu Selatan in Bandar Tasik Selatan, Kuala Lumpur.
“The bus departed Larkin Terminal at 10pm. It stopped in Yong Peng for 20 minutes. Then, it passed the Seremban exit and continued its journey,” Dineshwaran said.
“I asked the driver to drop me and my mother at the Bandar Ainsdale toll plaza, but he refused. Instead, he dropped us at Km269.7 of the North-South Expressway. It was 1.43am.
“We were stranded on the highway for an hour without any means of transport. I tried to contact the bus operator, but in vain.”
Dineshwaran said he had been trying to get an explanation from the authorities, especially the bus operator, but no one had responded.
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A spokesman for the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) said Dineshwaran’s complaint had been received and an investigation would be initiated.
“We will contact the bus operator for an explanation.”
He explained that express buses were allowed to stop only in approved areas.
He added that bus drivers who stopped in non-designated areas could be held for violating their licence’s terms and conditions.
“There is a passengers’ manifest stating that passengers who board a bus must disembark at the intended terminal. This is to ensure the safety of passengers.
“But, bus operators should explain this to passengers if they get requests to stop in non-designated areas.”
The public can lodge reports with SPAD’s Aduan team by calling its hotline number 1-800-88-7723 or sending an email to aduan@spad.gov.my.