KUALA LUMPUR: The Transport Ministry (MOT) will hold engagement sessions with express bus operators to clarify its policy requiring ticket sales to be channelled through licensed terminals, following concerns over the potential impact on their businesses.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the policy aims to regulate online ticketing agents (OTAs), many of which are based overseas, and ensure ticket sales are conducted through terminals licensed by the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD).
“ They have yet to fully understand the policy, so we will hold engagement sessions to explain it. There will be no losses for bus companies,” he told reporters after officiating the Transport Asia Expo (TXA) 2026 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) today.
Also present were Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah and Transport Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Jana Santhiran Muniayan.
Loke was responding to concerns from bus operators that the policy could affect their investments in developing their own websites for ticket sales.
He said OTAs collect commissions from ticket sales without providing terminal management services, creating regulatory challenges when service disruptions or refund claims arise.
“These agents sell tickets and earn commissions, but they do not provide services, including managing terminal operations,” he said.
Loke added that the policy was intended to improve the management of ticket sales and terminal operations through APAD-licensed facilities.
Commercial arrangements between terminal operators and bus companies would be discussed directly by the parties involved, while the ministry would be responsible for setting the overall policy, he said.
TXA 2026, running from Oct 20 to 22, brings together industry players and technology providers from the land transport, aviation, maritime and logistics sectors.
-AWANI
