Thursday January 10, 2008
Operators want higher bus fares
JOHOR BARU: Stage and express bus operators nationwide have proposed to increase their fares as they could no longer cope with the increasing operating costs particularly on fuel.
Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association president Datuk Dr Mohamad Ashfar Ali said a memorandum on the proposed hike would be submitted to Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy soon.
“Diesel price has increased from RM1.08 in May 2005 to RM1.58 in February 2006. The last time the bus fares were raised was in May 2005.”
He said their operating costs for fuel had escalated from 25% to 43%.
“The monthly diesel subsidy quota provided by the government, which was 1,800 litres for stage buses and 3,600 litres for express buses, was insufficient,” he said.
Ashfar said a stage bus used an average of 6,000 litres of diesel monthly while an express bus needed 9,000 litres per month.
“Many bus operators have gone out of business due to cash flow problems,” he said.
He said the price of tyres and batteries have also gone up.
“Toll has also gone up and Puspakom inspection fees are now much higher,” Ashfar said.
There are about 3,200 licensed stage and express buses operated by 108 companies nationwide.
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