Higher bus and taxi fares soon – were public transport users really “consulted” or was it just a “briefing”

TRANSIT took note of this article in the news yesterday and today and wondered, with disappointment, why we, the users are still not consulted…or maybe they gave us a “briefing” and called it a “consultation?”

Higher taxi and bus rates to go before Cabinet

KUALA KANGSAR: New bus and taxi fares will be presented to the Cabinet for approval next week, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz.

He said the new fares would cover taxis and express, feeder, school and standard bus services.

“I have studied and approved the proposal by the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board. I have to get feedback from all ministries before presenting it to the Cabinet,” he told reporters in Kati near here yesterday.

Nazri, however, declined to reveal the quantum of increase as it involved many sectors but said it would not burden the people.

“We will always consider the interest of operators and consumers before deciding. How can we expect good service if the operators can’t make money?” he asked.

The Government was said to have agreed to a 30% increase although the operators had asked for a 60% to 100% rise.

He said the Cabinet could only discuss the new fares next week (early June) as it had other pressing matters on the agenda including that on the Port Klang Free Zone. — Bernama

TRANSIT Says:

When we were invited to the recent meeting with bus operators and the CVLB (that was held on May 19) we hoped that there would be some interesting, open, and honest discussion.

Instead, we listened as the bus operators grouses were heard – but not the grouses of the commuters and public transport users.

Frankly, we at TRANSIT do not mind paying more money for better service – but that presumes that we are actually going to get better service.

Our collective experience (which goes back decades) tells us that this is not going to happen without a firm hand.

This is why we are disappointed with the government for making a decision about the new fares without full consultation.

We were at the meeting but we have got no report from the meeting – in other words, we are not being included when it really counts – in the decision-making process.

For this reason, we urge the wakil rakyat to make it clear in Parliament and the Dewan Undangan Negeri and local council chambers that the public needs a voice.