30% increase in fares for express and short-trip buses – http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/1/23/nation/3093617&sec=nation
> The Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Ministry has agreed to a 30% increase in fares for express and short-trip buses, Berita Harian reported.
A source told the newspaper that the request by bus operators was approved at a meeting between 200 public transport representatives and minister Datuk Noh Omar on Tuesday.
“The final agreement will only be made when a report is made to the Cabinet later, but at this stage the rates may be imposed as early as next month,” the source said.
Transit Malaysia 
One reply on “30% increase in fares for express and short-trip buses”
What this means is that the government has approved the 30% fare increase.
However, the fare increase has already been in place, since the Hari Raya holiday in October 2008.
At that time, the government introduced at 30% surcharge for the festive period but then did not withdraw the surcharge as expected.
The Pan-Malaysian Bus Operators’ Association has consistently been asking for a 100% increase in bus fares over the past few years, and this request has been consistently rejected.
But now, the government has approved a 30% increase in fares in a subtle way.
TRANSIT wishes to ask the following of the government and the bus operators:
Will the 30% increase in bus fares be complemented with a 30% improvement in service quality, safety, convenience and reliability?
Will a 30% increase in bus fares mean a 30% decrease in the use of the illegal “pajak” system where buses are hired out?
Will a 30% increase in bus fares mean that there will be 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?
If the PMBOA can promise this then they can have my support for their 30% fare increase.
Cheers, moaz