In a significant move to enhance passenger safety, Malaysia’s Road Transport Department (JPJ) has announced that from 1 July 2025, seat belts will be mandatory on all express and tour buses nationwide. This directive applies to buses manufactured from 1 January 2020 onwards, which have already been gazetted for seat belt installation. The regulation marks a key milestone in the government’s ongoing efforts to reduce casualties and injuries on the country’s roads, especially given the high volume of passengers using long-distance buses.
JPJ Director-General Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli shared that buses produced before 2020 would not be exempt, but instead granted a grace period to install the required seat belts. “We are conducting reviews and engaging with industry stakeholders to determine a reasonable timeline for operators of older buses to retrofit their vehicles with seat belts,” he said.
Aedy made these remarks during a press conference held after the JPJ Malaysia Special Assembly on Sunday, underscoring the department’s commitment to improving road safety standards across all transportation modes.
Strict SOPs for Drivers & Passengers
The Director-General emphasised that bus companies must establish a mechanism or standard operating procedure (SOP) to ensure that both drivers and passengers fasten their seat belts before the bus departs. He noted that clear guidelines will be provided to operators to support compliance with this new requirement.
“The onus is on bus companies to ensure drivers remind passengers to buckle up and check that everyone is wearing their seat belt before the journey starts. This will be an integral part of the safety SOPs for all express and tour bus services,” he added.
Aedy explained that the department’s aim is to inculcate a safety-first mindset among both drivers and passengers, thereby reducing the risk of serious injuries or fatalities in the event of a road accident.
RM300 Fine for Non-Compliance
Highlighting the consequences of ignoring the directive, Aedy warned that failure to comply will result in a RM300 fine issued to drivers, passengers, and the bus company itself. He said this enforcement measure is crucial to ensuring widespread adherence and building a culture of safety.
“The use of seat belts on buses has been proven to save lives. By mandating their use, we hope to drastically improve the safety of passengers travelling on long-distance buses throughout the country,” he said.
This move follows repeated concerns over the safety of bus passengers in Malaysia, especially given recent incidents involving express buses. Industry experts have welcomed the decision, saying it will align Malaysia’s safety standards with those of developed nations and reduce the alarming number of road fatalities linked to bus accidents.