After 64 Years, Lean Hock Company Ceases Stage Bus Operation

BUKIT MERTAJAM, Jan 1 (Bernama) -- Lean Hock Company Sdn Bhd ceased its operations today after offering stage bus service for the people in here and Kulim, Kedah for the past 64 years.

The reasons given to cease the operation were the ever-rising cost of operation and strong competition from Rapid Penang Sdn Bhd (Rapid Penang).

Lean Hock Company Sdn Bhd managing director Tan Eng Hooi said the decision to cease the operation was made because the company was suffering losses up to RM200,000 over the past few years.

He said prior to this, the company was offering the stage bus service for Kulim-Bukit Mertajam, Kulim-Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam-Bukit Teh routes.

"However, with the rising cost of operation and the declining number of passengers, especially after Rapid Penang decided to operate on the same routes, the losses are too much to bear, and hence, we decided to cease the operation today," he told reporters here Sunday.

The decision made by the company also left 31 of its staff, including 26 bus drivers with difficulties in seeking employment elsewhere.

Nevertheless, Tan said the staff were fairly compensated for their years of service at the company.

A driver, A.Purusothanam, 60, who has served the company for 30 years, said he could not help but feel somewhat sad when he was informed that the company would cease its operation.

"However, I would like to thank the company for giving fair compensation to all the staff," he said.

Bidi Khamis, 55, also hoped that he would be able to secure a new job soon to support his family and schooling children.

"It's sad to know that the company will cease its operation, we even tried to persuade the management to reconsider the decision, but they said the company is suffering huge losses," he said.

Meanwhile, the northern branch of Peninsular Malaysia Transport Workers Union officer, Musa Abdullah, expressed regret over the decision made by the company as it would cause problems to the people, especially the workers who just lost their sources of income.

As such, he called on the Land Public Transport Commission to take immediate action to help the company and the staff.

"This is the fifth bus company in the northern states to cease operation so far. Prior to this, Kenderaan Langkasuka Sdn Bhd (KLSB) had also ceased their operations in Sungai Petani and Alor Setar.

"City Liner and United Traction Company (UTC) had also stopped offering stage bus service in Butterworth, causing almost 300 staff to lose their jobs," he added.