SPAD should make installation of telematics device to monitor buses compulsory – road safety experts

Transnasional

The Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) has been urged by road safety experts to reconsider its decision not to make it compulsory for the installation of telematics device in buses as part of the requirements under the Malaysian Motor Insurance Pool (MMIP) coverage.

Universiti Putra Malaysia Road Safety Research Centre Associate Professor Dr Law Teik Hua said by making the telematics device compulsory in device, it will provide useful information on policy and regulation.

“In Malaysia, the crash rate for buses and the injury rate for bus occupants are relatively high when compared with other transport modes. In 2013, the crash rate for buses was 140 cases for every thousand buses,” he said in a report by The Sun.

He added that bus drivers were exposed to higher risk for crashes due to their long hours of driving and exposure to different road environments. This move will assist in understanding and quantifying their risks, which in turn could help improve safety. To help with its implementation, Law suggested a financial subsidy to bus operators for the installation and maintenance of telematics devices.

express-bus-coach-1

Telematics would allow the authorities to determine the number of hours a bus driver had been on the road, according to Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia Civil Engineering Department lecturer Jocelyn Ng. This data can be obtained in real time and analysed later.

Adding to this, Universiti Sains Malaysia deputy vice-chancellor Professor Dr Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah stated that the compulsory implementation of such devices will enable a situation where bus companies takes ownership of their fleet safety.

In March, it was decided that the implementation of telematics devices on buses will not be compulsory under the MMIP’s terms. Instead, the system will remain optional to bus operators for the moment. SPAD chief executive officer Mohd Azharuddin Mat Sah said that the telematics devices were no longer compulsory as they already had GPS as the tracking mechanism for express and stage buses connected to SPAD’s Performance Monitoring Hub System.

In addition, The Sun reported that the cost to fit the telematics devices on buses totalled RM3,400 per vehicle – consisting of RM2,300 per item, RM200 installation fee (outside Klang Valley) and RM900 annual service fee. What are your thoughts on the matter? Should telematics devices be a compulsory fitment on buses?

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Originating from the corporate world with a background in finance and economics, Gerard’s strong love for cars led him to take the plunge into the automotive media industry. It was only then did he realise that there are more things to a car than just horsepower count.

 

Comments

  • Abang Alza Pakai Topi on Apr 04, 2016 at 1:46 pm

    SPAD should ban taxis and let Grabcar and Uber operate. – the rakyat

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 2
  • Well, im sure that the chairman of KTB won’t be very happy if this being made compulsory. LOL

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • saladin on Apr 04, 2016 at 2:38 pm

    express bus always speeding at highway easily 140km/h. Everybody knows but they also know where all the speed trap locations. So never kena saman.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
    • Put AES every 5Km. Oh wait, once reach Selangor, all AES wear hood over it. Bus drivers says: All Hail Party Hard!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 4
  • Regular Intercity Bus Passenger on Apr 04, 2016 at 3:28 pm

    Just ask them to install rather than always have studies and discussion which will later in favour with the companies.

    KTB even without installing this system yet has the most common bus breakdown on the road.

    Accidents involving bus is also high on the road. Maybe if constant bus death then you will start to open up your eyes??

    Come on Govt. Be serious. Pity us as passenger who cant afford taking flights, taking ETS and expensive driving back to our hometown…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 2
    • If Gov enforce and insist them install telematics, then them operators says they wun do for all and de-commission the older buses at once but only slowly replenish.

      So then when Raya time not enuff buses, ppu will rage cuz no ticket to balik kampung. Then they all want to demo/Bersih, and vote for Party Hard.

      Either way, Gov loseliaolor!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 3
      • stasta on Apr 05, 2016 at 2:09 pm

        peoples lifes are at stake here. hundreds of people lose their lives every year in bus related accidents. thanks to the BN gov for saving a few thousand ringgit per bus.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Jimmy on Apr 04, 2016 at 5:25 pm

    Bus company directors don’t want these things to be installed. You won’t want too, if you are the director.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
 

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