PIBGN president Prof Mohamad Ali Hassan said the increase would cause hardship for parents already struggling with the expenses of the new school year.
“The parents will be burdened if there is a fare hike. The bus operators should be fair to the parents and reconsider their decision,” he told FMT.
Pertubuhan Persatuan Pengusaha Bas Sekolah Semenanjung Malaysia (PPPBSM) and other bus operators had recently announced they would raise bus fares next month.
Deputy Transport Minster Ab Aziz Kaprawi had asked the associations not to raise their fares and instead consult PIBGN when making such decisions.
Aziz said he first heard of the hike from a TV news bulletin where it was stated fares would go up RM10 to RM20
Ali suggested that the bus operators raise their fares by half the sum they had proposed to be fair to the parents.
Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association (PMBOA) president Ashfar Ali said the government should subsidise the bus fares in the form of coupons for poor parents to redeem.
“If the government can give out 1 Malaysia people’s aid (BRIM), then it can also help out the parents.
“The aid should be channelled through the schools because not all children use school buses.
“The schools will be able to identify those who use school buses and give the aid to them.”
Berita Harian had earlier reported PPBSM president Ahmad Fauzi Murad as saying a hike was necessary as there had been none for the last two years.
He also said the government’s revocation of the diesel subsidy in 2012 had also affected their income.
Parent Fredrick Dass, 44 who spends RM250 a month on bus fares for his two children, said the bus operators should not raise their fares.
“They have not raised the fares for only two years. My salary has also not been increased, so it isn’t fair that the fares are increased.
“We will not mind if they want to raise fares after five years.”
Another parent, Sharon Philips, 40, who pays RM150 in bus fares for both her children, said a hike would affect the household monthly budget.
“We have already drawn up the budget for our children’s pocket money, transport and school books. If there is a price increase, will have to cut down our expenses.
“We will not mind if the increase is small.”