Include us: RoRo lorry drivers who did not qualify for the diesel subsidy gathering at the Seberang Prai City Council Jawi branch’s parking lot in Nibong Tebal. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
BUTTERWORTH: With most roll-on, roll-off (RoRo) lorry operators not qualifying for the diesel subsidy, the worst fear is being confirmed – their services will cost more.
Penang Garbage Truck Operators Association president Arif Ibrahim said this is the only way out in terms of managing their expenses due to the enforcement of the diesel subsidy rationalisation.
“Vehicles registered as rigid lorries (for waste) qualify for the subsidy, whereas those registered as RoRo do not.
“We are confused because these are the same type of vehicles yet the classifications changed a few years ago.
“Our costs have increased greatly and we are digging deep to pay the expenses.
“We are private lorry owners making a living from collecting waste from factories, residences and other premises.
“We’ve already been struggling with fewer trips over the past few months.
“The increase in diesel price has put us in jeopardy,” he said during a peaceful protest held outside the Seberang Prai City Council Jawi branch building yesterday.
Arif said the association had reached out to various agencies to find out why most RoRo were not included in the subsidy.
“Some of us have two or three lorries, with only one qualifying for the subsidy.
“This means that we pay 55% more to fill up the tank of lorries that do not qualify for the subsidy.
“We cannot go on like this and have decided to raise our charges,” he said.
The association has 97 companies with over 100 lorries in Penang.
He said it now costs RM200 to fill up a three-tonne lorry compared to RM150 previously.
“We have to account for lorry repairs and other matters as well.
“Our usual charges are RM280 per trip from Penang Island to Pulau Burung in Nibong Tebal. But we have to raise it to RM350 now.
“On the mainland, we used to charge between RM250 and RM280 per trip to Pulau Burung.
“It is now RM300 per trip,” he said, appealing to the government to include RoRo lorries for the subsidy.
Presently, 23 types of commercial vehicles are eligible for subsidised diesel.
These include rigid lorries (general cargo, luton/box, water tanks, refrigerated flour tanks, bottled drinks, curtainsiders, agricultural produce, livestock transport, open platforms, moving services and waste), prime movers, window vans, panel vans, food catering lorries, combination rigid lorries, rigid tank lorries (beverages), semi-panel vans, service buses, moving service vans, food catering buses, and food catering vans.
