People accept new rates for KTMB's commuter service

Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad's (KTMB) new fares for its commuter train service is appropriate and acceptable.

Railwaymen's Union of Malaya (RUM) president Abdul Razak Md Hassan said the increase was appropriate as KTM's fares were currently below market price.

"The rate hike will not burden the people as the new rates maintained the concession for senior citizens, people with disabilities and children with a discount of 50 per cent," he said.

Meanwhile, Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia's (PPIM) chief activist Datuk Nadzim Johan believed the increase in the commuter service's fares from May 1 would be followed by improved services.

"It does not mean we want to reject everything for which the price is raised, we understand that operating costs have increased,so the new rates should be implemented.

"However, what's important is, users expect that with this price increase, the service quality also needs to be raised as well," he said.

Nur Arifah fakhrul, 24, who use the service every day to shuttle to work also well received the new service rates.

She said as long as the new rates were still reasonable, it is not a problem for users.

"I go to work every day on a KTM (train) from the Kepong Station to Putra Station with RM1.10, but if the price rises by 30 sen, I can still tolerate it.

"But I hope KTMB's services improve, for example commuters (should) arrive at their respective stations 'on time'," she said.

KTMB on Thursday announced new rates for the fares of it's commuter train service with an increase of up to RM7.10, effective May 1.

The new rates are also exempt from the Goods and Services Tax (GST). KTMB had last adjusted it's fares in Feb 2003.