The Barisan Nasional government has been given a stern warning that it faces the risk of losing the next general election if it goes ahead with the proposal to increase the bus and taxi fares by up to 50 percent.

Perak Consumers Association (PCA) president Abdul Rahman Said Alli argued that the government, instead of safeguarding the interest of the transport operators, should protect those in the lower-income group who are the coalition’s main vote bank.

“Otherwise, we may see the BN out of office and the opposition taking over (in the next general elections).

taxi public transport malaysia 180908 04 “I cannot understand the BN government’s attitude. On one hand, (Prime Minister) Najib (Abdul Razak) announces in his mini-budget this year that the government would inject RM9 billion into the market to pump-prime the country’s economy.

“Najib’s move is to make the public spend more so that the consumer index does not drop and the local economy can be boosted,” Rahman said.

“On the other hand, (Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department) Nazri (Abdul Aziz) is announcing the rise of bus and taxi fare by 30 percent to 50 percent next month. It does not make sense!”

Relocation of Klang bus station He lamented that the fare hikes will further increase the already high inflation.

Rahman also took the government to task for letting the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry prepare the cabinet paper on the fare increase.

He claimed that the ministry is more concerned in promoting business interest instead of the interest of the consumers.

Conditions of local buses deplorable

Rahman questioned the need for the bus and taxi fares increase as:

  • There was a 30-percent temporary increase in both local and express bus fares during the festive season last year. However, the bus companies have made it permanent. Protests by PCA to the Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board and the Transport Ministry have fallen on deaf ears.

  • Bus and taxi operators have been given special reduced rates for diesel and highway tolls.

  • The quality of service provided by these bus and taxi operators is not up to the standard expected by the consumers.

  • The conditions of these buses, especially ‘bone shaking’ local buses, is awful and consumers are left at the mercy of the drivers who decide on the routes to be taken.

PCA wants the public transport service providers to first address these commuters’ grouses before demanding fare increases.

“The PCA hopes that the cabinet does not approve the fare increases without corresponding improvement of standard of service from these commercial vehicle operators,” he said.