Public Transportation in a Mess

In 2008, the previous Prime Minister increased the petrol pump prices up to a staggering increase of 40%. The fuel subsidy was reduced as the government said that it will be too expensive to maintain the fuel price below RM2.00 per litre.

The former Prime Minister did mention that with the saving of fuel subsidy, the government will use those saved fuel subsidy to improve public transportation for the general public. As it will be expensive to travel with a personal motor vehicle, the government will try to make it easier to travel with the public transportation.

Then news of extended the LRT lines at both ends reaching populated areas were greeted with gladness.

A year now, allllllllllllllllllllllllllllll were just political talk only.

The government has to cover that and they came out with a new idea now.

What now?

Simple, increase the fare prices for all buses and taxis. Aiyah why didn't the goverment think of this when they increased the petrol price then.

There would be repercussions from motor vehicle users if government increased the petrol price. Now, there will certainly be repercussions from many bus commuters and those who rely on taxis to move about, more of such consumers actually.

Why does the government want to increase such fare prices in this time of economy downturn?
Reason given - an increase in fare would motivate the operators to give efficient transport services.

You know what ................. the reason given is totally bullshit.

Who are those operators that will gain? Kuala Lumpur's bus companies and taxis are generally owned by the private corporate sector and I'm sure those bosses will be laughing all their way to the bank with this implementation.

Why not they improve their services first before you reward them with a fare increment?

What will they think of come next year?

Reading: Fare hike to spur efficient transport services, Nazri says -Edge Malaysia
Tags: Malaysia Public Transportation, Bus Fares, Taxi Fares, Fuel Subsidy