Politicians, groups urge SPAD to review public transport fare hike

The public transport fare hike has brought a strong reaction from both sides of the political divide as well as from consumer groups and individuals who rely on buses, taxis on a daily basis. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, March 21, 2015.Various parties have urged the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) to review the public transport fare increase which is seen as a burden to the rakyat.

Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Aziz Kaprawi said he viewed the matter seriously as the increase of 20-67% was rather high.

"SPAD should hold discussions with the Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism for the best solution.

"We should not burden the people, especially those who commute by public transport daily as it will increase their expenses," he said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Razali Ibrahim said whatever the reasons were for the hike, they were irrelevant and should be reviewed.

"If prices, such as fares increase how will prices of other goods go down. The feedback we received about the fare increase had been negative and caused confusion among the people," he told reporters in Muar.

Razali, who is also Member of Parliament for Muar said he was personally dissatisfied with the fare increase which showed SPAD's indifference to public interest.

Johor Umno Youth Movement in a statement also urged the commission to review the fare hike in the face of rising living costs.

Its chief, Hahasrin Hashim feared the sudden and sharp increase would burden the rakyat.

"SPAD needs to take a more thoughtful and user-friendly approach to the issue and play its role as an agent to promote public facilities, not burden consumers," he said in a statement.

Transport Workers Union (TWU) secretary general Tan Sri Zainal Rampak said the fare increase was too high and did not take into account the interest of low-income group, the main users of public transport.

"TWU agree with the fare increase, but it should not be too high as additionally there is the Goods and Services Tax (GST) implementation beginning April 1," he said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (Fomca) said, should there be a need to increase the fares due to maintenance costs borne by the operators, it should be done in phases.

"Public transport is a necessity for those who do not own vehicles, so whether they like it or not, they need to use it, coupled with the burden of the high cost of living, it is only fair to increase at a minimum rate," said Fomca communications director, Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman.

Farah Asyikin Khairi, 24, who often takes the taxi for her treatment at Kuala Lumpur Hospital said the fare hike was a burden to her.

"I am charged RM20 for my return trip, the fare hike is unacceptable as some taxi drivers are unethical and their vehicles are dirty and smelly," she said.

SPAD yesterday announced that taxi and hire car fares would increase by between 20-67% with immediate effect while express bus fares would go up 22.6% on May 15.

SPAD chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar said the fares were streamlined after considering the needs of the operators who were burdened with the rising prices of goods and the interest of the public. – Bernama