‘Silent Heroes’ Behind Rapid Penang Buses’ Safe Operations

GEORGE TOWN, Aug 29 (Bernama) -- Behind the smooth daily operations of Rapid Penang buses lies a group of ‘silent heroes’ who work tirelessly to keep the vehicles safe and roadworthy, shouldering the heavy responsibility of safeguarding thousands of passengers each day.

Among them is senior technician Mohamad Afnan Mohd Shatir, 35, a specialist in bus wiring systems. Together with the team, he focuses on Preventive Maintenance (PM), a scheduled upkeep carried out at the Rapid Penang workshop in Lorong Kulit here.

The team ensures buses undergo routine servicing such as engine oil, transmission lubricant and air filter replacement, while checking systems including wiring, doors, lights and tyres to ensure they function properly.

Regular inspections are also conducted to assess the condition of components and spare parts, thereby preventing unexpected breakdowns and ensuring passenger safety.

“My daily routine is to inspect and carry out bus repairs according to the PM schedule. In short, we perform systematic maintenance to prevent damage or failure, especially while the bus is on the road,” Mohamad Afnan told Bernama at the workshop.

He said the process involves preparing a service checklist, a material issuance slip and a maintenance order, and carrying out technical repair work based on the required category.

Mohamad Afnan said that Rapid Penang’s Maintenance Department applies two main approaches -- PM to prevent faults and Corrective Maintenance for on-the-spot repairs, which must be completed within two hours.

According to him, every bus follows a maintenance schedule categorised as A (two hours), S1 (six hours), S2 (eight hours), M (16 hours) and L (24 hours), involving two technicians.

“No inspection can be taken lightly. Faulty brakes can cause accidents, while short circuits could trigger fires.

“For ageing buses, inspections on the engine, pneumatic system, air-conditioning, steering and absorbers, braking system and electrical components such as the Electronic Control Unit are crucial to ensure the vehicles remain safe on the road and comply with Road Transport Department standards,” said Mohamad Afnan, who has served 14 years with Rapid Penang.

He added that ageing buses pose the biggest challenge as they may suffer recurring breakdowns even after undergoing maintenance, forcing them back into the workshop.

Recalling a difficult case, he said a bus once hit a manhole cover, severing its main battery cable and causing smoke.

“Initially, it was suggested that a third party handle the repair due to the complexity and unfamiliarity of the damage. But my team and I requested to take it on as a challenge and a learning opportunity.

“With guidance from supplier Scania, we completed the work in four months. It became a case study that enhanced our team’s capability while saving costs,” he said.

The father of two said his passion for technical work has kept him in the industry, viewing his role as a contribution towards ensuring thousands of passengers reach their destinations safely every day.

-- BERNAMA