THE Penang Government will ask the authorities to come down hard on three ‘bas pajak’ or leased buses which are picking up passengers illegally at the Komtar bus terminal.

Komtar assemblyman Ng Wei Aik said the state government would request the Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board to revoke the licences of the buses.

“We will also ask the Road Transport Department (JPJ) to tow the buses away,” he told a press conference yesterday.

Ng, who is Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s political secretary, said JPJ, which started conducting checks at the bus terminal since Monday, would continue to do so until tomorrow from 4.30pm to 7.30pm.

He said the buses had violated the rules laid down by the state government.

He added that the bus drivers did not follow routes and they were picking up passengers wherever they liked.

“They don’t charge a standard fare for passengers. We don’t want people to operate buses without following the rules,” he said.

He said each bus company had to pay RM5,000 deposit to the Penang Municipal Council.

“Whenever the drivers commit an offence, the amount will be deducted from the deposit.

“But, those operating the three buses refused to pay the deposit,” he said.

The Star - June 5, 2010
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2010/6/5/north/6391195&sec=North