KUALA LUMPUR – Most school bus operators planning to raise fares due to the recently announced targeted diesel subsidy are not registered members of the Federation of Malaysian School Bus Operators and Drivers Association.
Speaking to Scoop, chairman M. Muruga said that the association’s members would not propose an increase because they understand the difficulties parents would face.
He said the standard bus fare rates in the Klang Valley range from RM70 to RM100, while fares in rural and village areas usually range from RM50 to RM70.
“For association members, we have decided there will be no fare increase. We understand the difficulties parents would face if fares were raised in the near future,” he said when contacted.
Muruga added that there are about 15,000 bus operators across Malaysia, including Sabah and Sarawak – but only 3,000 are registered with the Federation of Malaysian School Bus Operators and Drivers Association.
“Therefore, I believe those planning to raise fares are operators who are not registered with the association, which is why they are deciding to increase fares,” he said.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had previously warned that the government would not hesitate to revoke the licenses of school bus operators if they raised their service fares.
He added that the fare increase should not occur since the service receives diesel subsidies from the government.
Muruga also urged the relevant agencies to take immediate action if there are complaints from parents about fare increases.
The current school bus fare rates are based on the school location and the area’s population density, he added.
“Although more than 12,000 bus operators are not registered under the association, they are still subject to the Land Public Transport Agency because that agency issues licences.
“Therefore, it is appropriate to revoke their licences if they disobey by raising the fares,” Muruga added.
Fare hike fair?
Scoop recently reported that school bus operators, particularly in the Klang Valley, plan to increase fares following the government’s implementation of targeted diesel subsidies, which set the retail price of fuel at RM3.35 per litre at all petrol stations in the peninsula.
According to the operators, this measure is unavoidable given their need to maintain profit margins in the future.
“The fuel volume quota through the fleet card is limited, but for school bus operators, it’s a heavy burden because our profits are small.
“Some of us are currently just surviving,” said one school bus operator, Nurul Nurliana Rusman.
On June 10, the retail price of diesel at all petrol stations in Peninsular Malaysia was set at RM3.35 per litre, effective as part of the government’s move to implement targeted subsidies.
Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said that the diesel price for Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan however remains at RM2.15 per litre. – June 15, 2024