Bus Operators Warned Against Hiking Ticket Prices Ahead Of Aidilfitri
The Transport Ministry has warned that strict action, including licence revocation, will be taken against express bus companies that hike economy ticket prices ahead of Aidilfitri.
Minister Anthony Loke said the ministry received complaints about fare hikes imposed by express bus operators, especially for routes from the capital to the East Coast.
“I have instructed the Land Public Transport Agency to investigate companies that hike fares. There are two categories of bus services, economy and executive. For economy-class buses, fares are regulated and cannot be raised arbitrarily.
“The other category is executive buses, which offer additional services, and their ticket prices are not regulated. However, even for executive buses, if the price hike is excessive, we will take action.
“We must investigate first to determine the category of these fare hikes,” he said after a helmet swap at Jerantut District Council hall here today.
Loke said express bus operators are only permitted to impose a 10 per cent surcharge during festive seasons.
On March 22 last year, he announced that a 10 per cent surcharge on express bus fares during festive periods was allowed, considering factors such as increased service capacity and bus rental costs.
However, he noted that this surcharge was not new and had been in place for 20 years, applicable from one week before to one week after major celebrations.
