Loke: We cannot stop foreigners from using public buses, but all passengers must comply with rules

Transport Minister Anthony Loke stated that public buses cannot ban foreigners and everyone has the right to use them.

He emphasised that all passengers should adhere to rules and report any unruly behaviour to operators or authorities.

Loke highlighted the need for public awareness regarding quieter electric buses and urged authorities to consider safety in traffic planning.

GEORGE TOWN, Oct 17 — The government cannot stop foreigners from using public buses, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said today when asked about complaints of unruly behaviour by foreigners on buses.

“We cannot stop foreigners from taking public buses,” he said.

“Public buses are public transport and everyone has the right to use them,” Loke said at a press conference after launching Rapid Penang’s electric buses at the depot in Weld Quay here.

However, Loke said all passengers, regardless of nationality, must comply with the rules and behave appropriately.

He said complaints about unruly behaviour should be reported to the bus operator or the relevant authorities, which could then take action based on the circumstances.

Complaints about foreigners behaving disruptively on public buses have previously surfaced on social media and in local news reports, including allegations of loud conversations, blocking aisles, failing to queue and refusing to follow instructions from bus staff.

Such complaints have also prompted calls for passengers to respect other commuters, keep noise levels down, avoid obstructing entrances and exits, and comply with safety instructions.

Meanwhile, Loke cautioned that the introduction of quieter electric buses must be accompanied by greater public awareness to protect pedestrians.

“We will see newer buses that are more environmentally friendly and quieter. But there is also a risk, because when they pass, many people do not realise a bus is passing,” he said.

He called on the authorities to account for the change as the state gradually renews its bus fleet.

“I hope the state government, the city council and others will take this into account in traffic planning and pedestrian routes, particularly at pedestrian crossings,” he said.

Rapid Penang began operating 15 electric buses today, comprising 14 measuring 8.25 metres and one measuring 12 metres.

The electric buses are equipped with an Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System that produces external warning sounds to help pedestrians and other road users detect their presence, particularly at low speeds.

The buses also have an Advanced Driver Assistance System that provides driving assistance and warnings to bus captains.

Loke said the transition involved more than introducing vehicles with new technology.

“Operational readiness, charging facilities, maintenance and workforce capabilities must be strengthened alongside implementation,” he said.

Rapid Penang is scheduled to receive a total of 75 electric buses by March 2027 under the first procurement phase, which also includes 175 buses for Rapid KL.

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交通部长陆兆福表示，公共汽车不能禁止外国人乘坐，每个人都有权使用公共汽车。

他强调所有乘客都应遵守规则，并将任何不守规矩的行为报告给运营商或有关部门。

陆兆福强调了提高公众对更安静的电动公交车的认识的必要性，并敦促有关部门在交通规划中考虑安全因素。

乔治市，10月17日讯——交通部长陆兆福今天在被问及外国人乘坐公共汽车时行为不端的投诉时表示，政府无法阻止外国人乘坐公共汽车。

他说：“我们不能阻止外国人乘坐公共汽车。”

“公共巴士是公共交通工具，每个人都有权使用它们，”陆兆福在槟城快捷巴士公司位于Weld Quay的巴士站举行的新闻发布会上表示。

然而，陆兆福表示，所有乘客，无论国籍，都必须遵守规定并举止得体。

他表示，有关不守规矩行为的投诉应向公交车运营商或相关部门报告，然后由他们根据具体情况采取行动。

此前，社交媒体和当地新闻报道中曾出现过外国人在公共汽车上行为不端的投诉，包括大声喧哗、堵塞过道、不排队以及拒绝服从公交车工作人员的指示等指控。

此类投诉也促使人们呼吁乘客尊重其他通勤者，降低噪音水平，避免阻塞出入口，并遵守安全指示。

与此同时，陆兆福提醒说，引入更安静的电动巴士的同时，必须提高公众保护行人的意识。

他说：“我们会看到更环保、更安静的新型公交车。但同时也存在风险，因为当它们经过时，很多人并没有意识到有公交车经过。”

他呼吁有关部门对这一变化做出解释，因为该州正在逐步更新其公交车队。

“我希望州政府、市议会和其他相关部门在交通规划和行人路线设计中，尤其是在人行横道方面，能够考虑到这一点，”他说。

Rapid Penang今天开始运营15辆电动巴士，其中14辆长8.25米，1辆长12米。

这些电动巴士配备了声学车辆警报系统，可发出外部警告声，帮助行人和其他道路使用者察觉它们的存在，尤其是在低速行驶时。

这些公交车还配备了先进的驾驶辅助系统，可为公交车司机提供驾驶辅助和警告。

陆兆福表示，转型不仅仅是引入采用新技术的车辆。

他说：“在实施过程中，必须加强运营准备、充电设施、维护和劳动力能力。”

根据第一阶段采购计划，槟城快捷巴士公司（Rapid Penang）计划于 2027 年 3 月前接收共计 75 辆电动巴士，其中还包括吉隆坡快捷巴士公司（Rapid KL）的 175 辆巴士。

金说，在社交媒体上行使自由时，要保持尊重和礼貌。

洛克表示，布城正在考虑对盗窃铁路电缆的行为处以更长的刑期和更高的罚款，以保护公共安全。

陆兆福：槟城快捷巴士公司（Rapid Penang）首批推出15辆电动巴士，目标是在2027年3月前达到75辆。