GEORGE TOWN, June 11 — Express bus and school bus operators should not raise fares following the implementation of targeted diesel subsidy in the peninsula, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
This is because the diesel subsidy continues to be given to these bus operators through subsidised diesel fleet cards under the Subsidised Diesel Control System (SKDS).
“They should not raise their bus fares. They are not affected by the increase in diesel prices because school bus and express bus operators are still receiving subsidies.
[caption id="attachment_360013" align="alignleft" width="443"]
Transport Minister Anthony Loke delivers his speech during the 57th Asean Senior Transport Officials Meeting in George Town, Penang, on June 11, 2024. — Picture via FACEBOOK/MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT MALAYSIA[/caption]
"So what reason do they have to raise the fares?” he said during a press conference after officiating the 57th Asean Senior Transport Officials Meeting today.
Loke was responding to the rumours about the possible increase in the fares of school, express, and tour buses following the implementation of targeted diesel subsidy, which saw a diesel price increase of more than 50 per cent, starting yesterday.
For express buses, the fares cannot be increased arbitrarily because they are under the purview of the Land Public Transport Agency.
“As for school buses, we don't control the price, we just encourage discussions between school bus operators and Parent-Teacher Associations,” he said.
On the possible increase in the fares for tour buses, Loke said there is no subsidy for the tourism sector, as the buses are for tourism purposes and not for daily use.
“Maybe there will be a little increase in the cost for the tourists, but I think it is acceptable for them,” he said.
Meanwhile, Loke said he was ready to give a specific briefing to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad after the latter questioned the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link (RTS Link) project and claimed that not much was being revealed about it despite “concrete pylons rising across the Straits of Johor.”
The minister said that he respects Dr Mahathir as the country's statesman, but “to say that there was no revelation about RTS is wrong.
“If Tun wants complete information, I am ready to give him a special briefing,” he said.
— Bernama
