Based on the quality of their services, transportation service providers will get star ratings, according to a new directive drafted by the Federal Transport Authority (FTA). Categorising the transporters by one through five stars, the new quality certification system will assign levels of competency to transport operators based on the standards defined in the directive.

At the federal level, transport operators will be categorised using the system, with five stars being the highest and one star being the lowest rating. In regional states, however, the FTA will use a two-star rating system with two stars denoting the highest level of competency. The rating has three categories, namely associations, transport companies and private operators. There are 164,308 buses across the country, of which 1,787 of them offer cross-border transport services.

Expected to begin in a half-year period, the system requires the commercial public transport operators to apply for a star-rating by submitting a business license. Transporters who cross two or more regional states as well as transboundary transporters organised in an association, whether corporate or private, are required to obtain their qualification certificate from the Authority, which spent one year preparing the directive.

All transportation service enterprises are required to hire a general manager with at least six years of experience and a first degree in a transport-related field in addition to five additional staff. The new rating will replace the existing law that categorises transport operators into three levels with a special qualification certificate and mandates a maximum of 20 years of life service for all vehicles.

Small or medium-sized operators that do not engage in transboundary transport will be able to receive their rating from their respective transport authorities at regional states.

If approved, the directive will require all vehicles to be equipped with GPS and a speed limiter. It also stipulates that all vehicles must be fitted with seatbelts for passengers. Operators will be obliged to have at least a one-year contract of legal service to receive maintenance services. The draft will also increase the mileage limit for smaller public transport vehicles to 250Km from the 150Km currently being enforced.

Associations looking to secure the four-star rating need to have a fleet of 100 to 300 vehicles. The service life of all vehicles is not to exceed 12 years, and each vehicle should have 45 seats or more. Additionally, vehicles are required to offer Wi-Fi, televisions, DVD players and a refrigerator for passengers.

Three-star associations should operate a fleet of 75 to 275 vehicles with the service life of each vehicle not exceeding 25 years. Each vehicle is expected to provide the amenities mentioned in the four-star category.