“Our state government has RM27 billion (in reserve). RM150 million is just a drop in the ocean of the government’s reserve and it can help to reduce congestion and ease the burden of the people, especially the lower income earners. Why not do it?,” Chong told reporters here yesterday.
There are four bus companies in Kuching: Bau Transport Company, Petra Jaya Transport Company, Syarikat City Public Link (CPL) Bus Service Sdn Bhd and Sarawak Transport Company Bhd.
The companies have 107 buses, servicing 60 routes.
“For a city the size of Kuching, 100 buses is grossly insufficient,” said Chong, who is Bandar Kuching MP.
“Therefore, we suggest the government acquire all existing bus services and inject funds to purchase 200 new buses and provide a totally free public service to the people of Kuching for the first five years,” he said.
He said an improved bus service will reduce traffic congestion, taking thousands of cars off the road.
“A truly developed country is where even the rich regularly take the bus,” said Chong, adding that the quality of public transportation is lacking in Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri.
He said by the party’s own estimation, based on the financial reports of bus companies, it would take some RM150 million to acquire all four companies and fund operations costs for one year, with RM50 million in operational costs annually, thereafter.
“People are reluctant to change their commuting pattern. To induce them to use the public bus service would need substantial incentives. Those who will directly benefit from this are the working class,” Chong said.
A free bus service would reduce costs by about RM300 for each commuter, Chong said.
“Young people may defer car loan payments, and save at least RM400. All these reduction in expenditures would help increase their disposable income,” Chong said.
Chong added the government should increase the number of bus services even if users are not keen on public transportation to begin with.
“This is a chicken and egg thing. If the service is more regular, with high frequency, and is comfortable and cheap, or even better, free, I can guarantee you a lot of people would be using the bus service. This is one of the public services which you should not privatise as companies run on a profit-motive,” Chong said.
Meanwhile, Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong said said she received complaints after two bus services were halted last year.
“The bus service to the Bintawa area ceased in October, while the bus service to Sungai Apong ended before that.
“Elderly residents rely on the bus services to get to the Tanah Puteh clinic for medical treatment.
“Sometimes in an hour you only get one bus and when you miss it, you have to wait another hour. A responsible government would look to ease the burden of the people,” she told reporters.
Prior to the state election in May, Chief Minister Adenan Satem had said he would consider providing free bus services for Sarawakians, similar to what the Penang and Selangor state governments have been doing.