Anthony Loke: Bus ticket policy targets overseas online agents, not operators

The Malaysian government aims to regulate overseas online ticketing agents by requiring bus ticket sales through licensed terminals, not intending to harm bus operators financially.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke clarifies that the policy addresses delays and cancellations issues, ensuring better regulation and consumer protection.

Licensed terminals will handle transactions directly with bus operators, with hopes of reducing charges and improving returns, as stated by a new APAD ruling effective November 1.

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 — The government’s policy to channel bus ticket sales through licensed terminals is meant to restrict online ticketing agents (OTA).

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said operators needed to understand the policy and there will be a session to explain it to them.

“The policy is not intended to cause losses to bus companies.

“What we want to restrict is the role of online ticketing agents (OTAs), many of which are based overseas.

“They sell tickets and collect commissions but do not provide services at the terminals or manage terminal operations,” Loke told a press conference at the Transport Expo Asia 2026 here today.

He cited situations when a problem relating to cancellation or delay in bus services, the ministry is not able to regulate these issues.

“When problems arise, such as service failures or refund disputes, we have limited ability to regulate these agents.

“We are introducing this measure to ensure ticket sales, terminal management and ticketing operations are better regulated,” he added.

Loke stressed that there should be no financial losses for bus operators, at the same time ensuring that terminals cannot charge more than their existing rates.

“In fact, we hope terminals can reduce their charges and provide better returns for bus operators,” he said.

In this case, Loke said, transactions will be business-to-business (B2B), between the terminals and bus operators.

“The government is responsible for the policy decision, while the commercial arrangements will be handled directly by the parties involved.

Loke’s comments come after a new ruling by the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) was announced whereby express bus tickets were to be sold only through licensed terminals from November 1.

According to the circular issued to bus operators, it involves granting terminals exclusive rights to sell tickets and introduce new commercial fee structure.

However, APAD said tickets could still be purchased through OTAs or bus operators' websites if the terminals were owned by the operators themselves.

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马来西亚政府旨在通过要求巴士车票必须通过持牌终端销售来规范海外在线票务代理商，其目的并非损害巴士运营商的经济利益。

交通部长陆兆福澄清说，该政策旨在解决延误和取消问题，确保更好的监管和消费者保护。

根据 APAD 于 11 月 1 日生效的一项新规定，持牌终端将直接与巴士运营商进行交易，希望以此降低费用并提高收益。

吉隆坡，10 月 20 日讯——政府通过持牌终端销售巴士车票的政策旨在限制在线票务代理商 (OTA)。

交通部长陆兆福表示，运营商需要了解这项政策，政府将举办一场会议向他们解释这项政策。

“该政策并非旨在给公交公司造成损失。”

“我们想要限制的是在线票务代理商（OTA）的作用，其中许多OTA都位于海外。

“他们售卖车票并收取佣金，但不在航站楼提供服务或管理航站楼运营，”陆兆福今天在2026年亚洲交通博览会的新闻发布会上表示。

他举例说，当出现与公交车服务取消或延误有关的问题时，交通部无法对此类问题进行监管。

“当出现服务故障或退款纠纷等问题时，我们对这些代理商的监管能力有限。

他补充说：“我们推出这项措施是为了确保票务销售、航站楼管理和票务运营得到更好的监管。”

陆兆福强调，巴士运营商不应遭受经济损失，同时要确保巴士总站的收费不能高于现有价格。

“事实上，我们希望公交枢纽站能够降低收费，为公交运营商提供更好的回报，”他说。

Loke表示，在这种情况下，交易将是企业对企业（B2B）的交易，即在车站和巴士运营商之间进行。

“政府负责政策决定，而商业安排将由相关各方直接处理。”

陆路公共交通局 (APAD) 宣布一项新规定后，陆路公共交通局发表了上述评论。该规定从 11 月 1 日起，长途巴士车票只能通过持牌车站出售。

根据向公交运营商发布的通知，这将授予车站独家售票权并引入新的商业收费结构。

不过，APAD表示，如果车站是运营商自己拥有的，乘客仍然可以通过在线旅行社或巴士运营商的网站购买车票。

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