Friday June 6, 2008 MYT 4:22:14 PM

Public transport, school bus operators warned against raising fares

By IZATUN SHARI

SHAH ALAM: Public transport and school bus operators which are using fleet cards have been issued a stern warning not to increase fares.

Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Noh Omar said the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB) must approve any fare hike by public transport operators.

He said CVLB had been instructed to step up enforcement against public transport or bus companies which deliberately increased fares by suspending or revoking their licence.

“I would like to stress that public transport and school bus operators are not affected by the fuel hike because they are entitled to diesel at RM1.43 per litre and they are given fleet cards. There is no reason why they should increase their fares as announced by the bus operators association today,” he told reporters Friday after attending Umno retreat at a hotel here.

“I appeal that bus companies do not take advantage of the situation. We will not compromise with them.”

He was commenting on reports that some bus companies in Puduraya had raised fares by RM10.

Noh said his ministry along with the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry and Treasury held a meeting Friday morning with representatives from bus companies to help overcome problems faced by bus and public transport operators.

He said public transport operators, such as rented cars, taxis, workers’ buses and tipper lorries, which were not using fleet cards had been asked to apply for one from the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry.

Noh said the Government was considering giving the full diesel quota to public transport operators who were already using fleet cards and subsidising public transport including taxis, buses and lorries, which were using petrol.

Currently, public transport companies using the fleet card are getting only 70% of the diesel quota for their operations.

Noh also urged public transport operators to be patient as the Government was considering their appeal to increase fares, which would have to be approved by the Cabinet.

He called on the public to lodge a report with the CVLB if they know of any school bus and public transport companies which had increased fares by calling 1800 88 9600 or sending an SMS to 39900.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad gave the assurance that his ministry would ensure that public transport operators, including school and express buses, would get the full quota for diesel and petrol through the fleet card system as the current 70% quota would only last for about three weeks.

He said his ministry was also looking at the possibility of giving diesel subsidy to workers’ buses.