PETALING JAYA: Public transport operators assure commuters that their fleets remain safe for use, even with the availability of charging facilities on board.

Maraliner CEO Zachary Ismail Zee Ismail, an operator of stagecoaches and express buses, said his company is deeply concerned about the recent tragic incident involving a bus passenger. 

On Nov 1, an 18-year-old was found dead at the Penang Sentral bus terminal after being electrocuted while charging his mobile phone using an onboard socket.

Investigations revealed burn marks on the victim’s fingers, believed to be caused by electrocution during the phone charging incident.

“As one of the key players in the industry, Maraliner is deeply concerned about the recent tragic incident involving electrocution on a bus. The safety and well-being of passengers remain our highest priority,” said Zachary, who oversees a fleet of 400 buses nationwide.

“We recognise that onboard charging facilities are a common feature offered by many bus operators to enhance passenger convenience. However, it is crucial to ensure these amenities meet strict safety standards,” he said, adding that Maraliner is committed to working closely with authorities and coaching manufacturers to implement rigorous safety checks and improvements.

“Most of our buses are equipped with USB charging ports, which we ensure are fitted with the necessary safety measures. We believe that a collaborative approach between industry stakeholders is essential to prevent such incidents and to maintain public trust in the safety of bus travel,” he told The Star.

Rail transport operators are also stepping up with assurance on safety, with KTM Bhd saying that it is viewing the latest incident with concern.

“KTMB would like to assure the public that we are committed to the safety and comfort of our passengers.

“As a rail operator in Malaysia, it is our responsibility to ensure our passengers reach their destinations safely, especially on our fleet of ETS trains, which provides access to power sockets for passenger convenience,” said KTMB in a statement.

“The plug point supplies 240V AC and USB power at 5V DC for charging purposes.

“We want to reassure passengers that these power levels are designed to be entirely safe for use. The design of high-voltage and low-voltage systems is fully separated to prevent any risk to users.

“There are also protection measures in place, such as leakage current protection, which trips the power supply if it detects abnormal current flow,” read the statement.

“KTMB complies with the Safety and Health Policy 1994 and Electrical Safety Policy 2001, which are under the jurisdiction of the Energy Commission.

Elsewhere, Express Rail Link Sdn Bhd, operator of the dedicated rail line from KL Sentral to KLIA, was still formulating its response to The Star at press time yesterday.

The ERL trains have some sockets on board which may be used by passengers.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/11/06/buses-and-trains-are-safe