APAD clarifies the recent Smart Selangor bus service suspension was due to late submissions by the operator, SKS Coachbuilders.
APAD Remains Committed to Fair Licensing
The Smart Selangor bus service along five routes under the Subang Jaya City Council was recently put under temporary suspension. Initially, the public alleged that the suspension was a result of delays by the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD). However, APAD set the record straight by announcing that the suspension was due to the late submission of applications by the operator, SKS Coachbuilders Sdn Bhd.
In an official statement, APAD said that an internal investigation found that SKS Coachbuilders Sdn Bhd. submitted the relevant applications on April 25 and 26.
APAD confirmed receiving five applications, all of which were processed under standard operating procedures, assessment criteria, and approval conditions. The applications were then tabled at the Licensing Committee Meeting (eJKP) on May 8 and the company received conditional approval.
“APAD stresses that the new permit applications were processed within 14 working days, in line with the agency’s client charter. However, the applicant failed to meet several key requirements, including compliance with GPS installation standards and the submission of valid approval offer letters. As a result, conditional approval was granted, pending full compliance,” the statement read.
SKS then managed to fulfil all required criteria and conditions by May 15, thus receiving full approval at the eJKP meeting on May 22. After that, they were authorised to begin printing the approval offer letters via APAD‘s iSPKP system starting on May 23.
Commuters were forced to seek alternative transport options that incurred additional costs during the suspension of services on routes SJ01, SJ02, SJ03, SJ04, and SJ05. The dissatisfaction then led to an allegation that APAD was taking too long to process the applications, which took nearly two months, according to Bernama.
However, APAD then clarified that the delay was due to the operator’s late submission and failure to comply with the necessary requirements. APAD also emphasized that it remains committed to delivering fair and transparent licensing services to support the development of a more efficient, safe, and competitive public transport system.
“Therefore, all public and freight transport operators are reminded to strictly comply with the established criteria and conditions. Adherence is essential not only to safeguard their operations but also to prevent disruptions that adversely affect commuters who rely on these services daily,” the agency said.
