Unable To Cope With Rising Costs, 'Bas Sekolah' Get Green Light To Increase Its Fares

School bus fares will likely rise by RM5 to RM10 in January under a new fare structure, said the Federation of Malaysian School Bus Operators. The rates will be finalised by the end of this year but would be reasonable, federation secretary-general Md Saad Mohamad said.

"It won’t be a steep hike,” he said, commenting on a decision by the Land Transport Commission (SPAD) last Friday to de-regulate the fares due to rising costs faced by operators.

The Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association (PMBOA) told news portal theantdaily that bus fares had not been increased for years while operational costs continued to go up. “School bus operators have a different module than other commercial buses, we operate in areas where income varies."

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Bernama reported last week that SPAD was removing the ceiling price to allow parents, schools and bus operators to determine the fares. But, The Star reported the next day that parents were upset over the move, as they were already grappling with the escalating cost of living.

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“We (SPAD) as the observers will ensure that none of the interested parties take advantage by imposing excessive prices,” SPAD chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar was quoted as saying on Friday. “If this happens, action to cancel the operating licences can be done under the Land Public Transport Act.”

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The new fare scheme would affect 15,000 registered bus operators nationwide and could attract the estimated 30,000 unlicensed bus operators to come on board and re­­gister with SPAD.

Licensed bus operators are entitled to a school children insurance cove­rage scheme as well as a RM10,000 rebate, with a 2% interest rate, to replace ageing buses. Their vehicles must, however, pass a twice-yearly Puspakom mandatory inspection to ensure roadworthiness.

Fomca CEO Datuk Paul Selvaraj said any increase in fares should come with an equivalent increase in safety and quality of service. He said SPAD must monitor the negotiations for the new fare structure.

“This is because the commission has the data and is able to calculate and decide whether or not the requested increase in fares is justified,” he said. “If the quantum of the increase sought is reasonable and comes with a rise in safety and quality of service, parents should support it because we all want a viable and safe school bus system,” he said.

Bus operators now charge RM27.43 for the first kilometre and RM2.05 for every subsequent kilometre in urban areas. Parents in rural areas pay RM20.62 for the first kilometre and RM2.02 for each ensuing kilometre.