Petrol Prices and Transport

Thursday June 5, 2008 MYT 5:12:27 PM

Transport Ministry looking to further reduce road tax

By TEH ENG HOCK

SEPANG: The Transport Ministry is studying the possibility of reducing road tax further.

Minister Datuk Ong Tee Keat said he had asked the Road Transport Department (JPJ) to collate information on the revenue received from road taxes on various categories of vehicles.

He said he hoped that road tax could be reduced further after he passed on the details of the report to the Finance Ministry.

"Of course it depends on the overall and fiscal situation," he said Thursday after a working visit to MASKargo.

On Wednesday, the Government announced a RM200 reduction on road tax for private vehicles with an engine capacity above 2000cc, and a RM50 reduction on road tax for private motorcycles with an engine capacity above 250cc.

Also announced were rebates of RM625 per year for private vehicles with an engine capacity of 2000cc and below, and private pickup trucks and jeeps with an engine capacity of 2500cc and below.

Rebates of RM150 will be given to private motorcycles with an engine capacity of 250cc and below.

Asked if the public transportation would receive further subsidy following the fuel hike, Ong said the Cabinet Committee on Public Transportation would discuss it further.

"Of course, certain things have yet to be worked out. We will do it concertedly.

"Some of the input, initiatives and proposals will be discussed by the committee. At this juncture, it (public transport subsidy) is still open-ended," he said.

Thursday June 5, 2008 MYT 5:05:09 PM

Public transport operators warned not to increase fares

By SA’ODAH ELIAS

SHAH ALAM: All public transport, particularly taxies have been reminded not to increase their fares as the sector is not affected by the latest fuel hike.

Entrepreneurial and Cooperatives Development Minister Datuk Noh Omar said there was no reason for such increases because all pubic transport vehicles were issued with fleet cards and the subsidised price of diesel under the system remains at RM1.43 per litre.

As for taxies, he said, those that were not using the fleet card were using NGV (natural gas for vehicles), which was also not affected by the latest review.

"Thus there is absolutely no reason for public transport operators to increase their fares," he said Thursday on the sidelines of the Umno supreme council retreat here.

Noh however said that the public should prepare themselves for higher public transport fares in the not very distant future as the current structure was due for a review soon.

He said the review which was in the final phase would also look at other facilities that would be enjoyed by the sector to offset the increasing operating cost.

"We have engaged a consultant to look at whether the current fare structure is viable. Apart from the fare, we are looking at other things for the sector.

"The Cabinet Committee on Public Transportation has also agreed in principle to review road tax, toll rates and tax and excise for the sector," he added.