The Consumers’ Association of Penang takes seriously the latest announcement by Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Noh Omar about the increase in bus fare rates to be announced early next year.

During the Hari Raya season, express buses and stage buses were allowed to charge a surcharge of 30 percent on fares from the period of Sept 15 to Oct 15. The surcharge was allowed due to the rise in fuel prices. Regretfully, the minister has now stated that the 30 percent surcharge will be in force until further notice.

CAP is confused by the statement made by Noh that the new bus fare rates will not affect the people when in true fact, the majority of people who use public transport are from the lower- income groups.

Based on complaints received from members of the public and from a survey conducted by CAP, we found that stage buses have increased their fares after the government announced the 30% surcharge.

A one-way trip from the Butterworth bus terminal to Pokok Macang has increased 0.70 sen from RM2.10 to RM2.80. The bus fare from the Butterworth bus terminal to Padang Serai increased by RM1.10 from RM2.90 to RM4.00 (one-way).

In other words, a commuter living in Padang Serai and who works in Butterworth, will have to spend RM8 per day on bus fares alone not including the high cost for food and other expenses.

The irony is that just when the domestic trade and consumer affairs ministry has been encouraging traders to reduce the prices of good and services in tandem with the reduction in fuel prices by the government, the entrepreneur development and cooperatives ministry has decided to increase the rate of bus fares.

Is this move to raise the bus fares a cabinet decision?

CAP calls on the government to put on hold any decision to increase the bus fares and to carry out an in-depth study on the need to increase as it will burden the consumers especially during this period of economic uncertainty.

Proactive action should be taken by the government in reaching a sound decision which will not affect the lower-income groups.

The writer is president, Consumers Association of Penang.