Press Digest - Impasse over increase of school bus fares
PETALING JAYA: Federation of Malaysian School Bus Operators Associations president Amali Munif Rahmat said the government cannot stop operators from increasing their fares even if it is done arbitrarily.
He pointed out that Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) had decided not to regulate school bus fares, allowing them to be determined by market forces since last year.
Amali told China Press this on Monday when asked to comment on Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Ab Aziz Kaprawi's comment a day earlier that stern action could be taken against school bus operators who increase their fares unilaterally, including taking them to court.
However, he reminded members not to increase their fares too much lest they incur the wrath of the authorities and be hauled to court for contravening the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011.
"School bus operators regard parents as their regular clients and will not increase their fares if possible.
"At present, everything has gone up except the ringgit. Some key spare parts for buses have become very expensive. We have to revise the fares to meet the additional costs incurred."
On another note, he said school bus drivers' income is based on the mileage they have clocked.
"They don't have income during school holidays, how (do you expect them) to survive?" he asked, and reminded operators who make profits to provide additional wages to drivers to tide over the holiday period.
Amali said the last time the government allowed school bus operators to increase their fares was 2009.
On Sunday, Ab Aziz said the Transport Ministry would not allow school bus operators to raise their fares next year while the people are burdened by the rising cost of living.
Commenting on reports that school bus fares could be raised between RM10 and RM20 a month next year, he warned that those who do so could have their licences revoked under the Land Public Transport Act.
He said SPAD had decided last year that any fare increment must be agreed upon by parents, schools and bus operators.