KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Public Transport Association (4PAM) has demanded a full audit of Smart Selangor following the suspension of five bus routes in Subang Jaya, after the operator failed to submit permit applications on time and comply with licensing requirements.
Its president, Ajit Johl, described the failure to submit permit applications promptly as a lackadaisical attitude by Smart Selangor, showing a disregard for passenger safety and welfare.
He also called for heavy fines from the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) as a deterrent and to remind bus operators, both under Smart Selangor and more broadly, of the importance of adhering to renewal deadlines.
"The very fact of your licence is to do this business, and that (your operator) cannot renew it, leads one to think that we should ask for a full audit of Smart Selangor," he said.
He expressed concern over the impact on passengers, particularly the B40 community, with commuters left stranded, arguing that free services should not excuse regulatory failures.
"Imagine you are a student who is supposed to attend an exam but missed it because you had no public transport to rely on," he said.
Ajit further questioned accountability, asking, "Who is responsible now? Who can the public transport user sue? Do I sue the regulator? Do I sue the operator? Or do I sue the Selangor state government for not holding them accountable?"
Yesterday, APAD clarified that bus services on five Smart Selangor routes in Subang Jaya were suspended after the operator failed to submit permit applications on time and did not meet key licensing conditions.
Many commuters, including working adults, school students, and the elderly have been affected by the suspension, which has thrown daily routines into chaos, with no immediate alternatives readily available in the impacted areas.
