Konsortium Bas Ekspres Semenanjung, popularly known as Konsortium among the people, has always been in the limelight for the wrong reasons recently. Travellers who frequently use Konsortium express bus services prefer it due to its speed, for instance, the ability to reach Penang from Kuala Lumpur within 4 hours. When suggested to them why not choose other bus companies such as Transnasional, the common excuse is SLOW!

However, isn’t safe travelling is of upmost importance? Why sacrifice your safety, or even your life just to reach your destination earlier?

In recent years, there had been a number of bus accidents involving Konsortium. However, since December 2007, the number of accidents involving Konsortium has been quite frequent. The tragedies came into the limelight following the death of Lee Nian Ning, a medical student, who was one of the 3 passengers killed in the 25 January 2008 bus tragedy near Slim River.

In Bernama today, it is reported that the Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development, Noh Omar, have said that the one-month suspension imposed on Konsortium is to guarantee passenger’s safety rather than inconveniencing them.

Excerpts of the news report:

He said the decision was made after the ministry’s flying squad and the Road Transport Department (JPJ) discovered that the company had not adhered to the safety, health and environment standards.

Met by reporters after launching a programme for entrepreneurs in Tanjong Karang last night, the minister said the company was informed by the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board that action would be taken as its buses were involved in several fatal accidents between January and April.

Noh said his ministry’s checks showed the company management was not serious in ensuring passengers’ safety.

“By right, when I announced that the company’s operations will be suspended, the management should have taken measures to improve its services but instead its bus was involved in another fatal accident last week,” he said.

The minister said though the suspension was for a month, the order could be lifted at any time within the suspension period if the company was certified by the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board that it had complied with the safety, health and environment requirements.

“However, if the company is found to have not adhered to the requirements upon expiry of the suspension period, probably its operations licence will be revoked.

Needless to say, the company has clearly demonstrated that they do not prioritize safety of passengers. How can the company continue to operate, defying the suspension, putting all passengers at risk? And with another bus from the company involved in another fatal accident since the announcement of the suspension, what else can be said about the attitude of the bus drivers?

If you are driving frequently along the North-South Expressway at 110kph, how many times have you seen an express bus from Konsortium overtake you within seconds? I have seen that many times, the latest only slightly more than a week ago. Isn’t the speed limit for buses on expressways capped at 90kph?