KUALA LUMPUR: Bus drivers not only face passengers’ anger for not dropping them off at bus stops due to illegally-parked vehicles, but also end up being issued summonses whenever an accident happens.
A bus driver told the New Sunday Times that these are among issues faced by them when motorists hog or park illegally at bus stops.
The driver, who wanted to remain anonymous, has more than 30 years of experience.
He said cars parked illegally at bus stops disrupted the flow of public buses in the city centre.
Sometimes, they even caused traffic congestion, he added.
He said Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) was aware of this problem but had not taken any action.
“I have sent countless complaints to DBKL.
“It’s the usual ‘all right, we will check’, but no action will be taken.
“There was even an instance where an illegally-parked car forced me to drop my passengers outside the bus stop.
“While driving out, my bus grazed the car.
“When I made a report to DBKL and the police, I was instead given a summons of RM300 for hitting the car.”
Despite explaining the situation, the bus driver was still given the summons while the driver of the illegally-parked car escaped punishment.
He said he often had to face angry passengers.
“Sometimes, I do not have a choice but to drop or pick them up slightly further from the bus stop.
“But some of them will think that I am purposely doing that.
“They will shout at me and some have even hurled profanities at me.
“This is what that I face almost every day.
“Illegally-parked cars at bus stops or even by the kerb have made our work much more difficult and they have also caused accidents.”
Other situations of illegally parked cars include shop owners who park their cars in front of their premises.
He said the lack of enforcement by DBKL and traffic policemen had made shopowners hog lanes outside their shops despite a yellow line.
“We have told DBKL about this.
“ However, no action was taken.”