APAD clarifies new express bus regulations focus on service classification and enforcement, not fare increases.
KUALA LUMPUR: The new regulations for express bus services that came into effect on June 15 is aimed at streamlining the classification of services and to strengthen enforcement against operators without involving any increase in fares, according to the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD).
APAD in a statement today announced that express bus fare has been in effect since 2013 despite detecting a handful of executive category express bus operators selling tickets below the minimum fare set, thus causing confusion about the category of services that consumers should receive.
The agency said that through engagement with industry players, express bus operators also expressed concerns that the practice could create unsustainable competition and an imbalance in demand and supply that ultimately burdens consumers with higher fares, especially during the festive season.
According to APAD, the two new regulations enforced are the Land Public Transport (Determination of Categories of Express Bus Services) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 and the Land Public Transport (Fare Rates for Express Bus Services) Regulations 2026, which are improvements to the existing regulations since 2021.
The amendment changes the classification method based on the number of seats to the configuration of the seat rows.
“Under this new method, an Economy Category Express Bus is defined as a bus that has an arrangement of two rows of twin seats (2+2), while an Executive Category Express Bus is a bus that has at least one row of single seats (2+1),” according to the statement.
APAD said the clearer classification allows users to identify the service category more easily while also facilitating enforcement against operators who fail to comply with licensing conditions and fare structures, including selling tickets below the minimum rate.
“The implementation of this regulation is an improvement measure to ensure that the classification of express bus services is implemented more transparently, protecting the rights of consumers based on the chosen service class and creating fair competition in the land public transport industry,” he said.
Based on the Land Public Transport (Fare Rates for Express Bus Services) Regulations 2026, the express bus fare for the Economy category remains at a maximum rate of RM0.093 per kilometre, while the Executive category at a minimum rate of RM0.15 per kilometre with a maximum rate not exceeding RM300.
APAD stressed that the government has never increased express bus fares since 2013 despite the public transport industry facing increased operating costs, maintenance and fuel prices.
“APAD will remain committed to ensuring that every policy and regulation implemented takes into account the interests of consumers, industry operators and the sustainability of the country’s public transport system,” he said.
The agency also advised the public to obtain authentic information through official channels of the Ministry of Transport Malaysia and APAD and not to spread inaccurate or misleading information.
