Permit allows for 19 seats, but capacity increased to 40

Thursday December 23, 2010
Permit allows for 19 seats, but capacity increased to 40

PETALING JAYA: The high-decked bus involved in the Cameron Highlands tragedy was modified to double its seating capacity.

The bus had 19 seats but its capacity was increased to 40, according to a source close to a team set up in the aftermath of the crash to determine what had caused it.

The team comprises several agencies including Miros, Puspakom, police and the Road Transport Department (JPJ).

This is what has been established by the team to date – the upper deck had been modified and had about 30 seats while the lower deck, which was to have only a lounge, had several more seats.

It is understood that the team checked the wreckage on Tuesday night and noticed the modifications.

“We still have to determine the exact number of extra seats added in the upper and lower decks,” the source said.

The source said the changes were a violation of the permit issued for the vehicle.

The permit issued by the JPJ states that the vehicle should only have 19 seats.

“If the bus operator wants to modify the structure or put additional seats in the bus, it should submit a new structure plan of the bus to the JPJ for approval,” the source said.

The source said checks showed that the bus was inspected regularly by Puspakom, since it was registered in 2007.

When Puspakom inspects a commercial vehicle, the first thing checked is the vehicle’s chassis number.

The source said Puspakom would also check the vehicle’s undercarriage including its brake system, axles and flooring.

The source said the badly damaged front axle of the ill-fated bus was very likely due to instability brought about by passenger overloading.

The source noted that generally high-decked buses were stable on flat and straight roads.