Penang Hindu Association deputy president P Murugiah said the free bus service was a “boon” to low-income families and urged the Penang government and the transport ministry to provide a similar service in the state.
He said the state had started a free shuttle bus service from the ferry terminal to Komtar, which was good for tourists; and a similar free service could also be introduced to help poor families.
“Parents earning RM500 to RM900 a month are living from hand to mouth. They can’t afford monthly school bus fees that range from RM80 to RM120 per child.
“When they cannot pay school bus operators, the children end up missing school,” he said in a statement.
Murugiah said he knew of some parents who made their kids walk a few kilometres to school and back with heavy bags because they could not afford the bus fare.
He also said the cost to maintain a child in school was higher these days, and those who failed to pay preliminary entry fees or buy school books could be prevented from attending classes.
“The government can help reduce the families’ financial burden if free school bus services are introduced for children living in low-cost housing schemes.
“In fact, PHA hopes education can be made free, cheaper or subsidised to help children from poor families,” Murugiah said.
It was reported that starting from last Tuesday, the federal government had set aside about RM12 million a year to provide free school bus services for 8,072 children living in PPR and PA schemes.
The move was to help families with low incomes cope with the rising cost of living.
State Local Government, Traffic Management and Flood Mitigation Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the Penang government gave every school bus operator RM600 a year to help them cope with rising costs.
Recently, some 620 school bus operators statewide received the aid from the state government.
“As for providing free bus services, the state will study the needs,” he told FMT in a text message.
Based on data from the Penang Island City and Seberang Prai Municipal Councils, there were over 68,663 PPR and low-cost homes statewide, with an estimated 274,676 residents, including children.
Meanwhile, Penang School Bus Association chairman Loh Choon Beng said the association gave the thumbs up to what was being done in Kuala Lumpur.
“If Penang wants to introduce something like that, I think operators here will be supportive, too,” he said.
In Penang, Loh said operators no longer decided unilaterally on fares, which was now discussed and decided upon together with parents.
“Since last year, the drivers and parents have negotiated the fees. How much each child pays depends on the travel distance, and the areas where they live and study.
“There are no complaints about the monthly fare, as long as the parents are okay with the fares,” he added.