KUALA LUMPUR, 23 Jan 2009: New bus and taxi fares are expected to be announced by the first quarter of the year after taking into consideration the needs of passengers and public transportation operators, said Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board (CVLB) chairperson Datuk Markiman Kobiran.
He said the proposal on fare revision prepared by the CVLB was handed to the Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Ministry early this month.
“Datuk Noh Omar will get feedback from the Transport Ministry, Finance Ministry and the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry before tabling it to the Cabinet next month,” he told Bernama here today.
He was commenting on the date for revision of public transportation fares following a drop in fuel prices and other factors that triggered an increase in fares.
“The approach used in the proposal is how to increase the quality of public transportation services through the revision of fares and focusing on customer satisfaction.
“We are not forgetting bus and taxi operators because the last fare revision was done in 2005,” said Markiman, referring to the time when subsidised diesel cost 65 sen a litre, compared to RM1.43 now.
Yesterday, Noh was reported as saying that companies of express buses, stage buses, school buses and taxis had asked for a 60 to 100% fare increase following a hike in price of spare parts, insurance and service charges.
In a meeting on 20 Jan with Noh, 33 public transportation companies and consumer association Fomca, it was reported that the government had basically approved a 30% fare increase.
“The final decision will be announced by the minister upon agreement from the cabinet. We will not entertain any form of threats to increase fares that burden consumers,” said Markiman.
Bus companies would continue to charge a 30% surcharge imposed since the festive season last October, until the new fares are announced, he said.
