KUANTAN, Malaysia: Some 2,000 residents of Felda Panching near here were left fuming after the bus service to town that they had used for more than 15 years was suddenly stopped.

The service, their main mode of transport to travel here, came to an abrupt halt in September.

The bus company also provided transport services between here and several nearby areas, including Panching Utara, Panching Timur, Panching Selatan and Sungai Pandan waterfall.

The residents are worried that when school reopens next year, their children will be affected as they depend on public transport to get to school.

The villagers do not know why the bus company stopped its services.

Felda Panching Utara Second Generation Association secretary Abu Bakar Salleh said they had lodged a complaint with the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB) here on Nov 24.

"The CVLB said their officers were investigating and urged residents to remain patient as the matter would be sorted out soon.

"Residents hope CVLB will instruct the bus company to resume their services to these areas."

Abu Bakar said while waiting for a reply from CVLB, they would negotiate with other bus companies to cover the routes.

"There are a few operators willing to take over the routes, but they cannot make a move until they receive the green light from CVLB.

"We learned that other bus operators can only take over the routes after the current operator submits a letter to CVLB, stating that they do not want to continue their services."

He said that most of the residents, especially those working in town, had no option but to take taxis to go to work.

Some complained that the taxi operators charged up to RM35 ($14.56) per trip and RM60 at night.