The Association for the Improvement of Mass-Transit (Transit Klang Valley notes that the Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board has approved an increase in express bus fares of 30%.

The request by bus operators was approved at a meeting between 200 public transport representatives and minister Datuk Noh Omar on Tuesday.

It has been stated that the final agreement will only be made when a report is ‘made to the cabinet later’ and that ‘the rates may be imposed as early as next month’.

However, Transit would like to point out that express bus fares were actually increased in October 2008, two weeks before Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

At that time, the government introduced at 30% surcharge for the festive period but then did not withdraw the surcharge as expected.

The Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board later stated that they would allow the fare surcharge of 30% to remain in place until a new fare agreement was put into place.

Transit assumes that the 30% increase as described in the Malaysian media in late January 2009 is not a new increase on top of the 30% increase that has remained in place since October 2008.

If this is the case, then there should be no increase in bus fares by bus operators next month because the increase already took place in October 2008.

If this 30% increase comes on top of the 30% that has been in place since October 2008, Transit would like to ask the CVLB why they have quietly approved an additional increase.

We hope that the CVLB will quickly clarify the situation so there is no misunderstanding among consumers and bus operators.

Transit is also attempting to understand the position of the bus operators. The Pan-Malaysian Bus Operators' Association has consistently been asking for a 100% increase in bus fares over the past few years, citing increased costs for diesel, batteries, parts and chassis imports, to name a few.

And while these increases in costs are understandable, Transit wishes to ask the following of the government and the bus operators:

  • Has the 30% increase in bus fares (since October been complemented with a 30% improvement in service quality, safety, convenience and reliability?

  • Has the 30% increase in bus fares led to a 30% decrease in the use of the illegal pajak system where buses are hired out?

  • Has a 30% increase in bus fares led to a 30% decrease in the number of bus drivers who drive recklessly or while tired, or smoking cigarettes or using syabu (methamphetamines to stay awake?

  • Finally, can the CVLB and the bus operators promise improved bus service to the rakyat in exchange for these higher fares?

    • We humbly await a response.