Cosmic Express Charts Growth With MAN Coaches; Eyes Singapore And More
For Dato’ Abu Hassan Awang, quality isn’t just a philosophy. It is a business strategy that has helped drive Cosmic Express from humble beginnings to a 70-coach fleet and now into the regional spotlight.
The veteran bus operator, who took over Cosmic Express in 2000 when it was still a debt-laden travel agency, has built the company into a premium long-distance express bus service. His formula? A strong focus on passenger comfort, a disciplined approach to operations, and an unwavering commitment to premium European-built coaches — with MAN now taking centre stage. 
“The best compliments from my passengers are when they tell me that they often fall asleep at the start of the journey and wake up only upon reaching their destinations. This has been happening quite often since we added 10 units of MAN double-deck coaches for the first time to our fleet in 2020. MAN has managed to engineer a chassis that delivers an extremely comfortable and smooth ride. MAN’s power on straight roads and uphill stretches is legendary while it can safely tackle downhills with controlled descents. Our current fleet of Euro III-specification MAN coaches has also proven to be very fuel efficient, providing substantial fuel savings,” said Dato’ Abu Hassan.
That feedback has become more frequent since the company’s first acquisition of 10 MAN double-deck coaches in 2020, where he spent days at the bodybuilder to meticulously design the exterior and interior. Built on MAN’s robust chassis platform, these coaches offer a quiet, comfortable ride with exceptional fuel economy and performance — both uphill and downhill. “Our current fleet of Euro III-specification MAN coaches has also proven to be very fuel efficient, providing substantial fuel savings,” he added. 
Impressed by real-world results and emboldened by his own research following a visit to Busworld Brussels in 2019, Dato’ Abu Hassan recently committed to an even bigger order i.e. 40 units of Euro V-specification MAN RR5 double-deck coach chassis, a key component of Cosmic Express’ fleet renewal programme. “Most of the bus operators I met there said they use MAN. I was impressed and did more research back in Malaysia,” he explained.
Green Light To Singapore
These new low-emission coaches are a timely purchase as Cosmic Express has received approval to begin operations to Singapore, opening a lucrative route that caters to a discerning international clientele. The quick approval from the Singapore authorities was a pleasant surprise although not totally unexpected. “Going to Singapore means serving an international clientele that expects high standards. We are more than ready to deliver as that has always been what we strive for at Cosmic Express,” he said.
The move marks a new chapter for Cosmic Express, which has weathered multiple economic storms — from the bird flu crisis in 2008 to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the ups and downs, the company has consistently adapted, pivoting from tourism to intercity express services when needed.
“This business is really a test of our resilience. We have to stay strong and look at the bigger picture. We always have to remind ourselves that it is an essential service to the public, especially to students who need to travel from their hometowns for tertiary education. We have to run on schedule, even with only three passengers onboard,” he said. 
Smart Investment For Lower Emissions
Transitioning to Euro V coaches is no small feat. It involves higher capital costs and the use of AdBlue diesel exhaust fluid to reduce NOx emissions. Still, Dato’ Abu Hassan sees it as a necessary and forward-thinking move.
“That is why we have to invest smartly. MAN is one of Europe’s leading heavy commercial vehicle manufacturers with proven products that are the preferred choice of bus operators all over the world. MAN Coaches are competitively priced and proven to be highly durable and reliable. The significant cost savings in fuel and the minimal downtime can help balance the extra costs.”
The new coaches will be deployed on the high-demand Kuala Lumpur–Singapore and Alor Setar–Singapore routes, with plans to eventually expand into Thailand as fleet capacity grows.
Leadership Role And Industry Advocacy
As the newly elected Chairman of PEMBAWA (Persatuan Pengusaha Bas Ekspres Melayu Semenanjung Malaysia), Dato’ Abu Hassan is now advocating for industry-wide improvements. His top concerns include outdated driver training curriculums and lax enforcement on highways.
“We need to work closely with the Government to tackle a host of issues, especially on road safety. For example, the syllabus in driving schools is outdated, which has created lousy drivers. They should be made to undergo refresher courses annually to ensure their competency. There is also not enough surveillance and enforcement on the road which has led to instances of lorries overtaking express buses. On my part, I always remind my drivers that stern action will be taken immediately if they commit any wrongdoing. Laws must be followed because if you don’t, you are only disrespecting yourself. Must have worked as we have not received a single AES summon in 2025,” he said. 
Giving Ageing Coaches A Second Life
With some of the MAN coaches nearing their fifth year in service, Cosmic Express has a plan: redeploy them to shorter routes or reassign them for sports team sponsorship duties i.e. like transporting the Kedah and Police football teams.
Though his sponsorship efforts have boosted brand visibility, the businessman behind Cosmic Express admits his true sporting passion lies elsewhere; hockey, not football.
