Bus passengers can file complaints directly to the road transport department (JPJ) via the MyJPJ app or email if there’s something wrong with their seat belts (such as if they’re missing, broken or not working), reports Bernama. The wearing of seat belts in express and tour buses has been made mandatory since July 1; failure to do so will result in a RM300 fine.
The complaint needs to be accompanied by photo or video evidence and details of the bus journey for JPJ to investigate effectively, Kuala Lumpur JPJ director Hamidi Adam said, adding that the drivers are responsible for reminding passengers to buckle up before the journey begins.
“This is to improve the level of public transport safety and to reduce the risk of serious injury or death in accidents such as those involving express buses,” he said during an express and tour bus seat belt operation on Wednesday night at the Gombak toll plaza.
The 8pm-midnight operation inspected 41 express buses and three tour buses, fining 23 express bus passengers for not wearing seat belts. Most of them said they didn’t know it was compulsory on a bus. Notices were also issued to two express bus drivers for driving in the right lane and for non-functioning emergency doors.
“All quarters, be they passengers, operators or the enforcement, need to work together in creating a safe and disciplined transport system,” Hamidi said, adding that compliance with the law is not just a regulatory obligation but a reflection of the commitment to valuing human life.
“If drivers fail to remind passengers to wear their seat belts, not only will passengers be fined, but the driver and the bus operating company will also be penalised. If the driver has reminded passengers, but they still refuse to wear seat belts, only the passengers will be fined,” JPJ director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli said recently.
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