Preamble

In most developing nations, the exodus of the population from the rural areas and smaller towns to the bigger ones or capital cities is a common phenomenon. Malaysia is no exception. This situation creates the need for transportation, especially express bus services, to get the populace to wherever they are going and back to their hometown as many times as their budget permits them.

The founders of SANI United Berhad capitalized on this opportunity and started their own express bus service, shuttling passengers to and from Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang, especially to the Klang Valley.

Incorporated in 2006, SANI Express is one of nine subsidiaries that covers the Hospitality, Transportation, Terminal Management and Engineering Industry under Sani United Berhad and is helmed by Group Chairman Dato’ Wan Mohd Sani Dato’ Salleh.

The day-to-day operation is handled by his brother Wan Mohd Iskandar Dato’ Salleh, who sits as the Group Managing Director. Together they started all these companies that logistically complement one another and began to deliver transportation and related services for customers. SANI Express started with 15 single-deck buses and in 2008 achieved their dream of purchasing the first largest single batch back then, of the much talked about Scania Double-Deckers – 25 of them!

Due Diligence – A Key Factor to Success

Before they decided to embark on an expansion of Scania buses, they tirelessly surf the internet and made all kinds of cross-comparison with several brand names that are available in the Malaysian market.

“With whatever knowledge that we have coupled with some due diligent work and research on European brands, and contrary to what we were told, we were determined to purchase the Scania double-deckers to strengthen our fleet. Our own assessments were proven right as no other brand has got the backing of a truly excellent after-sales service and gave our fleet the best uptime possible,” stressed Iskandar.

The Routes

SANI Express started working on the Kuala Terengganu to Kuala Lumpur route in 2006. By 2009, SANI Express established the Kota Bharu to Klang Valley route, extended its services from Kuantan to Kuala Lumpur, right up to the northern tip of Peninsular Malaysia to Perlis and transit towns in Kedah.

“We believe, the SANI brand name has been successfully established as our unique selling point (USP) and as one of the best bus express service in Malaysia. It is all thanks to the reliability of the Scania buses that gave the passengers a pleasurable and safe ride,” stated Iskandar.

SANI Express plans to cover the Southern region and is presently working on the logistics and obviously additional Scania buses to cover the 2 main routes right up to Johor Bahru.

The Scania Ecolution Partnership

At an official signing ceremony held in Kuala Lumpur recently, SANI Express entered into a Scania Ecolution Partnership Agreement with Scania Malaysia. This historical move is part of Scania’s sustainability efforts to reduce SANI Express fuel consumption and CO₂ emission into the environment. In fact since October, 2019, SANI Express has reduced the CO2 emissions by 12,000kg which is equivalent to planting approximately 165 trees that has been flourishing for the past one year.

SANI just purchased 23 new buses that will be used to refresh the fleet and are subscribed to the Scania Fleet Management System (FMS) Control 5. The Scania Ecolution agreement will see further savings through the FMS monitoring and controlling of the drivers’ habitual handling of the buses.

The Scania K410EB6x2 and K420EB6x2 double-deckers equipped with safety features such as the Opticruise, the Electronic Braking system, the Retarder and the Speed Limiter ensures that both driver and his vehicle are up to par for the safe ride of the passengers.

“Our motto ‘Safety and Comfort is our Priority’ has evolved into caring for the environment where our buses operate,” stated Iskandar.

The Scania Driver Training and Coaching

With more than 45 Scania double-decker buses servicing the Northern states and East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia, SANI relies on 2 very important elements – its buses and drivers – to ensure all-round safety for the passengers. The Scania Driver Training and Driver Coaching is also offered to SANI express drivers to enhance their skill set to effectively use the safety features that are readily available in the Scania double-deckers.

Apart from a long list of mandatory requirements to be fulfilled to become a SANI Express driver, they have to go through a series of tests and complete a training module before being allowed to handle the technologically advanced Scania double-deckers.

The MIROS SSG Award

In 2013, the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) introduced Safety Star Grading (SSG) system based approach to encourage safety practices among all bus service operators and SANI Express made history by being the first Express Bus service to get a 5-star grading in 2016.

This consumer-based programme was created to provide the general public with knowledge on the safety performances of bus operators when deciding which express bus to choose for their travel.

SANI Express will be able to proudly display its safety award to market its services as a premium operator since passengers will want to be assured of a safe journey in a bus that is equipped to offer that. Apart from benefiting from the marketing value of the 5-star rating, SANI Express will ensure its safety rating is maintained through continuous and meticulous maintenance of its all-Scania fleet.

 “Without a doubt, our Scania buses played a vital role in our success in getting the SSG 5-star award from MIROS. All the built-in safety features in our Scania double-deckers coupled with our well-trained drivers will ensure that our buses will continuously be regarded as a safe ride to our passengers,” said Iskandar.

The 5-year refresher

SANI Express, refreshes their fleet with new ones every 5 years, maintaining a fleet that is young and free from mechanical problems. And in 2019, repeated, for the fourth time, a 23-unit buy of the Scania double-deckers.

“We believe we have to maintain the credibility of our brand name that we worked so hard to build and upkeep. And with the Scania workshops easily accessible nationwide and the excellent after-sales service that is equal to none we find it very convenient to send our buses for their scheduled maintenance,” added Iskandar.

A Brighter Future

With the planned extension of the route to Johor Bahru, SANI Express will add more buses to its fleet and if history has it, a further 25 to 30 Scania Double-Deckers will be on the cards in the very near future. Present studies on packaging SANI Express services to related subsidiaries such as the SANI Ferry, SANI Travel and Tour and SANI Hotel are underway and will be realized soon.

With the excellent after-sales service and the Scania Ecolution partnership, SANI Express expects to expand its business at a faster rate and solidify its brand name in the Malaysian market.

“We do what we do because we care about our passengers’ safety and comfort and want them to remain loyal to SANI Express and keep using our services. And now we want all our passengers to know that we are in business not only to gain profits but also to care for our environment with the Scania Ecolution partnership,” concluded Iskandar.