The Malaysian Insight

SCHOOL bus fares will remain the same across most of the country for the time being, despite official approval to raise monthly charges, an industry leader said.

Amali Munif Rahmat, who leads the Federation of Malaysian School Bus Associations, said rates only differ in urban areas but most parents understand the prices.

“There was talk that from March, school bus fares will increase by between RM5 and RM10, but that has been put on hold following discussions between bus companies and parents.

“I still keep the old fare, which is RM80 per person, and on average most companies do the same,” Amali told The Malaysian Insight, saying the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) had given bus companies the green light to raise fares.

He said most parents have not objected to a slight increase because they understand the rising cost of living.

“The current fare depends on the location. In the Petaling Jaya area alone, there are four different rates.

“In Damansara Heights, the rate is around RM150 per person but in Kampung Sungai Kayu Ara, the rate is RM80 to RM120 per person,” he said.

He said operating costs are increasing because the prices of spare parts have risen by much as 100% in recent months.

On top of this, he added, salaries may also go up.

“If the fare for each student is increased by RM10 and it is assumed there are 100 students, additional revenue of RM1,000 is expected to cover the increase in costs,” he said.

Suhaila Saleh, who uses a school bus service for her four children, is grateful the fare remains the same.

“Since the children started school, I pay RM320 or RM80 each,” the 37-year-old said.

“If the fare goes up again, it will be a burden for me as a civil servant.”

Another mother in the Damansara area, S. Shamundeswari, 41, said there was indeed a discussion between bus companies and parents.

“The bus company had planned to raise the fare by RM10 per person. I have three children and if the fare had gone up, I would have been in trouble.

“However, they understood and kept the same price,” she said.

In Butterworth, private sector worker Suraya Husin, 39, said she currently spends RM500 a month on school bus fares for her three children.

“Last week, the operators announced a fare increase of between RM10 and RM50 per person effective this month, but on the first day of school, they said the price would remain the same for a while.

“It is true we will also have to deal with the new fare rate sooner or later, but at this point RM500 a month is already a burden.

“We have to accept the fact. We have no other choice,” she said. – March 24, 2023.