KUALA LUMPUR: Singaporean tour buses are allowed to enter Malaysia but cannot operate as express buses, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke (pic<\/em><\/strong>).<\/p>\n He said the arrangement is reciprocal, as Malaysian tour buses can operate in Singapore and Singaporean tour buses can carry tourists in Malaysia.<\/p>\n \u201cTour buses bring visitors into the country, which benefits Malaysia, and we do not ban them,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cBut if a tour bus operates as an express bus selling tickets for scheduled routes, that is not allowed and action will be taken,\u201d he said in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Dec 2).<\/p>\n Loke said Singapore requested that Malaysia allow its express buses in return for Malaysian buses operating there.<\/p>\n \u201cHowever, Singapore does not have a legal category for express buses. Their system only recognises tour buses and scheduled buses,\u201d said Loke.<\/p>\n \u201cThat is why our position remains firm and we will not allow express bus services from Singapore,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n He responded to a supplementary question from Ahmad Marzuk Shaary (PN\u2013Pengkalan Chepa) on inspections and safety compliance.<\/p>\n Ahmad Marzuk raised concerns that some Singaporean tour buses have operated in Malaysia for years without Puspakom inspections or local safety standards.<\/p>\n \u201cThese operators have taken advantage of the system,\u201d Loke said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will not consider permits for Singaporean express buses as it would disadvantage local operators,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n