Reject higher LRT fares, unions urge SPAD

MTUC leader urges transport regulator to turn down request by transit operator Prasarana

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Trades Union Congress has called on the Land Public Transport Commission not to consider the request by Prasarana Malaysia Bhd to raise fares for the LRT and Monorail Services.

“If fares are raised it would further burden the working class, who are already reeling with the increased cost of living,” said MTUC deputy secretary general A. Balasubramaniam.

Moreover, he said MTUC’s campaign in encouraging workers to commute by train to work would be hampered as they were already getting used to the idea.

Prasarana managing director Azmi Abdul Aziz had said recently that the company would request a review of transit fares in view of the increase in maintenance cost and electricity tariffs.

Balasubramaniam said people should be encouraged to use public transport, especially in urban areas, to help reduce traffic congestion and pollution.

Prasarana, which is a wholly government-owned company, runs the light rail and monorail mass transit services in Kuala Lumpur and surrounding areas, and bus services in the Klang Valley, Kuantan and Penang. In the Klang Valley alone, it operates 165 bus routes covering 980 housing estates.

- BERNAMA