Bas Loncat and Kereta Sapu

Besides the commuter bus (bas loncat) plying the roads taking passengers everywhere, there is the 'kereta sapu'. In London they call them 'mini cabs'. From Senaling, to go to Kuala Pilah town (the biggest place we ever know); there is the Eng Giap Bus Company, plying Senaling - Kuala Pilah route; and it costs 10 sen for a one way ride. We may also catch the bus from Tampin or from Dangi heading to Kuala Pilah. Besides the Eng Giap Bus, the Malay Transport Bus is also available, which ply the Kuala Pilah - Seri Menanti route (through Senaling); as there is another Seri Menanti route, through Tanjong Ipoh.

If you want to travel beyond Kuala Pilah, Southern Bus Company may take you to Seremban or Bahau. The route to Seremban is long, winding and treacherous - through Bukit Putus. Alas, it does not take more than one hour to reach and the fare was 35 sen one way. The famous Seremban - Kuala Lumpur route was then handled by Foh Hup bus company and the 65 sen one way takes a little more than 1 hour. As far as we are concern, we depended so much on the Eng Giap bus and the speciality school bus too. We purchase monthly school bus pass; for the right to ride on the bus (irrespective of it being a school bus or not).

There was once, Udin and me coming home from school, but there were no more buses. So we stopped a 'kereta sapu' that we know of. The cost from Kuala Pilah to Senaling was 20 sen a passenger; and school boys are normally charged 10 sen (the same as the bus). However, when we reached Senaling; Udin did not pay the driver; as he said that he had a 'bus pass'. I paid my 10 sen. Looking at the driver, who understood the 'not understanding', we smiled and walked away. That incident is still really clear in my mind. Today Udin (Awaludin Jadid) is a high ranking police officer, presently working in Sarawak!