Drivers fret over cost of repeatedly failing brake tests.
SEREMBAN: Since Puspakom installed a new computerised brake inspection machine at its Seremban centre a few months ago, the number of lorries and taxis repeatedly failing the test has increased dramatically.
This has raised a suspicion that the vehicle inspection monopoly may be trying to maximise profits at the expense of the vehicle owners, since it charges RM25 for the second and subsequent tests.
On the other hand, it could be an indication that the old equipment was not sensitive enough to ensure adequate safety for road users.
In any case, the failing lorry men and cabbies have gained the sympathy of Negeri Sembilan PAS Commissioner Mohd Taufek Abdul Ghani.
He told FMT that apart from the cost factor, the vehicle owners were worried that the Road Transport Department (RTD) would revoke their permits—and it would after the fifth failure.
“This is what they fear most,” he said. “Once a permit is revoked, a taxi or lorry driver won’t be able to earn his living while he goes through the tedious process of applying for a new permit all over again.”
Several of the affected drivers told FMT that before the new machine was brought in, they seldom had much of a problem passing the test. If they failed the first test, they would send their vehicles for the appropriate repairs and would pass the subsequent test.
“We never heard of anyone having to go through a third test,” said one of the drivers.
However, FMT has also spoken to several drivers who failed the first test on the new system and passed the second after sending their vehicles for repairs.
Machine calibrated
Puspakom’s Communications Department today released a statement giving its side of the story.
It said it had a dialogue last July 2 with individual complainants and representatives of vehicle associations.
“The complainants requested for Puspakom to conduct another round of calibration exercise for the new equipment, witnessed by an independent party,” said the statement.
“On July 3, we conducted this calibration exercise, witnessed by representatives from commercial vehicle associations to verify that the new inspection equipment is properly calibrated.
“We would like to stress that all inspection equipments, whether old or new, have similar test principles and undergo periodic calibration exercises in the presence of the RTD and SIRIM.
“Most of the repeated failures were results of a trial-and-error repairing method adopted by vehicle operators, such as adjusting and replacing one part at a time in order to reduce maintenance costs.
“The failure of the braking system may not be due only to the condition of one component of the braking system, such as the brake pad or disc, but could be a combination of a few components.
“Puspakom as an inspection body is not able to determine the specific root cause of the failure but we may be able to narrow down to the potential problematic area (eg right front wheel has less braking force/grip compared to left front wheel).
“However a competent mechanic is in a better position to determine the right root cause and not repair simply on a trial-and-error basis”.
Puspakom said the equipment upgrading exercise started in April this year as part of an effort to reduce equipment downtime and ensure that the system cannot be tempered with.
“Our service standards are constantly monitored by the RTD with specific KPIs and our inspection equipment is of global standards and widely used in Europe and Singapore.
“Although there are more old vehicles on the road in this country being used for commercial purposes as compared to Singapore or Europe, vehicle performance should not be an issue if they are maintained or serviced regularly according to manufacturer’s recommendations.
“We also urge commercial vehicle operators to maintain their vehicles in good roadworthy conditions at all times and not just when the vehicles are due for Puspakom inspections.”
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