Kuching: A total of RM5 million has been allocated annually for the next five years to assist stage bus operators in Sarawak under the Interim Stage Bus Support Fund (ISBSF), aimed at helping operators cope with rising operating costs while improving the quality and reliability of public bus services.
The allocation was announced after the Sarawak Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (LPKP Sarawak) recently signed ISBSF agreements with various stage bus operators, marking the implementation of the Federal Government-funded initiative in the state.
LPKP Sarawak Chairman Michael Kong Feng Nian said the fund is intended to ease the financial burden on operators amid rising maintenance and labour costs, while ensuring essential bus services continue to connect communities and serve commuters who rely on public transportation.
“Under the enhanced ISBSF, operators will also be required to achieve at least 80 percent on-time performance beginning next year, with financial assistance linked to service reliability to encourage better punctuality and operational standards.
“The programme further supports the digital transformation of stage bus services through the installation of GPS tracking systems and Electronic Ticketing Machines (ETM), enabling LPKP Sarawak to collect more accurate operational and passenger data for future transport planning,” he said.
He added that operators will also receive incentives to gradually replace aging buses with newer, safer vehicles, with LPKP Sarawak assisting in covering part of the financing costs.
Kong said the ISBSF complements existing Federal Government initiatives, including the subsidised diesel programme, and reflects its commitment to ensuring sustainable, affordable and reliable public transportation services throughout Sarawak.
