KUCHING: The government is looking to add more Rest and Relaxation (R&R) facilities along the Pan Borneo Highway to keep pace with growing long-distance bus travel, said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin.
Speaking at the launch of Mutiara Borneo Sdn Bhd’s premium coach service here Tuesday (July 14), Lee said his ministry would convene a meeting with long-distance bus operators to gather their views and identify suitable locations for future R&R facilities.
He said the feedback and recommendations gathered would be forwarded to the Public Works Department (PWD) Sarawak, which would in turn engage PWD Malaysia, as the Pan Borneo Highway falls under federal jurisdiction.
“I want to listen to the users, I want to listen to the operators — that is what is important.
“They are the ones who know best where the facilities are needed,” he said, adding that his ministry would study the matter together with PWD.
As to how many new R&R stops were being planned, Lee said this had yet to be determined as some facilities along the route involve private operators, adding that the number would depend on the findings of the joint study with PWD.
He noted that current R&R facilities are inadequate for the growing volume of bus and passenger traffic, citing complaints from both operators and passengers over the lack of comfortable rest stops.
Lee said the push for more R&R facilities comes as passenger numbers on public buses are rising, driven by improved roads, new bridges and shorter travel times across the state.
He added that he expects greater public transport uptake as infrastructure continues to improve, even as some passengers, including those working in rural areas, continue to rely on other forms of transport.
Lee said the ministry would also continue receiving informal feedback from individual road users in addition to formal input from operators and passengers, all of which would feed into the study.
