Bus fares fixing not subject to fuel prices - Nancy Shukri

The fixing of bus fares is not only subjected to fuel price alone, but also depends on several other costs, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nancy Shukri.

She said fuel costs were only at 11 to 20 per cent and the rest were the maintenance costs, drivers' salary, insurance, the cost of tyres and bus loan.

"There are no changes in the fares of bus and other public transport except for taxis, despite the drop in fuel prices recently. The existing fares are in accordance with the approved fare under the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board 2009," she said in a written reply to Dr Mansor Abd Rahman (BN-Sik).

Dr Mansor wanted to know whether the public transport fares, especially the bus fares had been reduced or still remained despite the drop in fuel prices.

Nancy said there was no increase in bus fares since the past six years, even when the prices of diesel was at RM1.70 per litre and the petrol at RM1.80 per litre.

"This means that, although there was a decline in fuel prices, it was still higher compared to the last time fares were reviewed and updated on 2009," she said.

The RON95 petrol is currently priced RM1.95, RON97 petrol at RM2.25 and diesel at RM1.95 per litre.

She said the current bus fares were not a burden to consumers and it could help entrepreneurs to operate sustainably.

On March 19, Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar announced fares adjustment from 20 per cent to 67 per cent on taxis and car rental, effective immediately, and on May 15, the rail and bus fares to be increased 22.6 per cent.

However, the cabinet has asked SPAD to postpone the increase in new public transport fares as announced by the commission, and allowed only new taxi fares to be implemented.