Govt to meet school bus operators over fare hikes

 

School bus operators were previously reported as saying fares will likely go up in January due to the increase in overheads, such as spare parts.

PETALING JAYA: The land public transport agency (Apad) will be meeting school bus associations tomorrow over the latters’ plan to increase their fares this month.

Federation of School Bus Associations Malaysia president Amali Munif Rahmat said the meeting tomorrow will only revolve around the proposed hike in fares.

“Yes, we will be having a meeting tomorrow with Apad to discuss increasing the school bus fares,” he briefly told FMT.

Previously, Amali cited higher spare part prices, pay increases for drivers in order to retain them, and competition from unlicensed operators as reasons for the hike.

He said the current RM2,000 monthly salary for school bus drivers was unattractive as they could earn that amount elsewhere for less stressful work.

Amali had also said operators were badly hit when the Covid-19 pandemic shut down schools for long periods, putting many of them out of business and forcing drivers to be let go.

Earlier today, NST quoted transport minister Loke Siew Fook as confirming that Apad would be meeting school bus operators tomorrow. - FMT