Nimbler option: A customer checking out motorcycles at a shop at Burmah Road in Pulau Tikus. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: More people are expected to switch from cars to motorcycles and public transport once the petrol subsidy rationalisation is implemented.
Architect firm executive Simon Lee, 39, said he would stick to the cost-effective motorcycle for his daily travels once the subsidy removal kicks in.
For now, he still drives to work occasionally, spending about RM250 on petrol for his car, on top of RM25 for his motorcycle.
“I rarely use my car for work because it is hard to find parking in George Town. Traffic jam is another issue.
“But if the petrol subsidy is removed, I’ll just have to stick to my motorcycle for daily commutes, with the car reserved for family outings and outstation trips.
“Why would I want to stress myself with traffic congestion, no parking and higher petrol prices?”
A news portal reported that it is only a matter of time before the fuel subsidy rationalisation for RON95 is carried out.
However, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim later said the government has yet to make any decision on lifting the RON95 subsidy, which allows a litre of the fuel to be sold at RM2.05 currently.
The withdrawal of subsidy on RON95 has been anticipated after diesel subsidy was removed since June 10 in Peninsular Malaysia, with the price raised to RM3.35 per litre from RM2.15.
Customer relations executive M. Vinod, 35, seldom drives to work because the morning rush hour makes it difficult for him to reach his office at Burmah Road here on time.
Another reason is the lack of parking spots, which will cost him up to RM8 a day for private parking, if he finds one.
“I am now using my motorcycle almost every day.
“If the petrol price increases, then the best thing to do is to ride to work daily.
“I need to be prudent in my spending, and that is RM20 for breakfast, lunch and petrol for my motorcycle,” he said.
Civil servant Shahrul Izwan Shamsudin, 40, from Lunas, in Kulim, Kedah, also rides to his office in Pulau Tikus every day.
“I need to be on time and riding a motorcycle (to work) is the most convenient. I can save money on petrol and toll.
“If there is a petrol price hike this year, the car will only be for leisure or holidays.
“As a government employee, I do not earn a high salary. Any slight increase will affect my monthly expenses,” he said.
M. Santhakumaran, 57, who works as an assistant manager at a company in Permatang Tinggi on mainland Penang, said he would continue using his motorcycle.
“I tried carpooling but found it impractical as my colleague often had to stay back to wait for me when I could not finish my work on time.
“It’s financially taxing to drive to work once the petrol price goes up,” he said.
Despite the possible petrol price hike, several motorcycle dealers said there is no mad rush for the purchase of motorcycles as they believe that most people are still waiting to see what’s coming.
“It’s always a case of ‘wait and see’. People may rush to buy new motorcycles only after the petrol subsidy rationalisation is implemented.
“We have recorded a mere 15% increase in sales this year,” said Benny Goh, 50, a motorcycle dealer in Paya Terubong.
Another motorcycle dealer, Teoh Sim Guat, in Datuk Keramat Road, expects sales, which have been flat in the past six months, to pick up when the petrol subsidy rationalisation is implemented.
