S'pore tour buses cannot run express services in M'sia: M'sia transport minister

Singapore-registered tour buses can enter Malaysia but are not allowed to operate as express buses, Malaysia's Transport Minister Anthony Loke reiterated on Dec. 2.

He was speaking in the Malaysia parliament in response to a question from a member, Ahmad Marzuk Shaary, The Star reported.

Ahmad Marzuk raised concerns that some Singaporean tour buses have operated in Malaysia for years without official inspections or adhering to local safety standards.

In reply, Loke said such operators have taken advantage of the system.

"We will not consider permits for Singaporean express buses as it would disadvantage local operators," he added, according to The Star.

Bringing tourists in Malaysia only

Loke said the two countries have a reciprocal arrangement regarding tour bus services.

Just as Malaysian tour buses can operate in Singapore, so can Singaporean tour buses in Malaysia.

However, Singaporean buses can only bring tourists into Malaysia, and cannot pick up passengers in Malaysia and then travel to other places or back to Singapore, Loke said, accoeding to Sin Chew Daily.

"Tour buses bring visitors into the country, which benefits Malaysia, and we do not ban them," he added, as quoted by The Star.

He added: "But if a tour bus operates as an express bus selling tickets for scheduled routes, that is not allowed and action will be taken."

Tour bus operators must also submit passenger lists and detailed travel itineraries, with all trips beginning and ending in Singapore, according to Malay Mail.

No legal category

Singapore has apparently requested that Malaysia allow Singaporean express buses to run there in return for Malaysian buses operating in Singapore.

However, Loke explained that Singapore does not have a legal category for express buses.

"Their system only recognises tour buses and scheduled buses," he said. "That is why our position remains firm and we will not allow express bus services from Singapore."

He also emphasised that Malaysia has never issued a permit for express bus services to any foreign companies, including those from Singapore, Sin Chew Daily reported.

Singaporean buses that have entered Malaysia have done so for the purpose of providing tour bus services, rather than express services.

Previous suspension

Previously in May, four Singaporean tour bus companies were suspended from operating in Malaysia for breaching cross-border transport regulations, Malay Mail reported.

The companies were found offering unauthorised express bus services and selling tickets online, according to Malaysia's Land Public Transport Agency (APAD).

One of the affected companies, Luxury Coach, released a statement on Facebook on May 7, saying that it does not operate as a conventional express bus provider.

"The nature of our tours, pricing structure, and added services differ significantly from those of Malaysian-registered express buses," it explained.

"However, due to the flexibility we provide — especially with online return bookings — there has been a misunderstanding that we are competing directly with local express services targeting Malaysian commuters," it added.

Top images from Luxury Coach's website and Anthony Loke's Facebook