Public Transport - Buses

[allurban]

Originally Posted by rizalhakim

Free bus rides for the poor
By TAN KARR WEI


THERE will be a free community bus service for poor residents in Petaling Jaya starting on June 3, said mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman.

“We are targeting poorer areas in the city. The bus is more for senior citizens and housewives who need to do their marketing or run errands. The bus will even pass by University Hospital,” said Roslan.

Right idea
wrong headline

Cheers, m

[OshHisham]

how will they determine someone is poor or not..? RM1 is affordable enough even for burmese standard....(i guess)

[TWK90]

Source : http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp...767&sec=nation

Bus company defies directive


KUALA LUMPUR: Three days after bus company Syarikat Konsortium Bas Ekspres Semananjung Bhd was grounded, at least two of its vehicles were seen operating at the Puduraya bus station here.

Oblivious passengers were seen boarding the buses to Taiping and Ipoh. The commuters said they were not aware that the bus company had been grounded for a month from Wednesday because their vehicles had been involved in a number of road accidents.

Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board chairman Datuk Markiman Kobiran said he had instructed the Road Transport Department to seize any of the buses that operated in defiance of the suspension of the company's 232 buses.

“We will not compromise on this,” he said.

On Friday, the department impounded two more buses belonging to the company as they were still in service.

JPJ Director of Enforcement Salim Parlan told Bernama the department had earlier impounded three buses in Johor, Kedah and Malacca.

Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association president Datuk Ashfar Ali said the bus company was not one of its members but that he felt sad for the passengers.

“Employees would also suffer as it is not known if the company can afford to pay them,” he said.

[rizalhakim]

Free bus service in Selangor towns
R. Anbu


The TV3 team with their prizes for winning a media bowling competition. With them are state executive councillor for local government and research Ronnie Liu (second right), Selangor State Assembly speaker Teng Chang Khim (third right) and Klang Municipal Council president Mislan Tugiu (third left).

KLANG: The Selangor government, through the municipal and city councils, will provide free community bus service for the benefit of residents, especially senior citizens.

State executive councillor for local government and research Ronnie Liu said the service would be launched soon in Subang Jaya and Klang.

"The two areas will be our pilot project before other councils follow suit," he said, after a media appreciation dinner, organised by Klang Municipal Council (MPK), at the Botanic Resort Club, here, recently.

Liu said, for starters, Subang Jaya Municipal Council and MPK would be given a bus each for the service, adding that the buses were sponsored by private companies.


"We are looking into getting more sponsors to provide buses for other councils and I hope they will come forward to make this plan a success."

Liu said the plan was for each council to have two buses to serve areas in their jurisdiction.

"The service and the buses will be managed and maintained by the councils at their cost," he said, adding that it was up to each council to determine the service routes for their areas.

He said the state government had not set a deadline for the councils to start the free service in their areas of jurisdiction.

"The main purpose of this free service to provide an alternative to residents, especially senior citizens."

Earlier, the Petaling Jaya City Council launched its free bus service but it was only for the old, poor and physically-challenged.

In an another matter, Liu said to further improve efficiency, the state government was also looking into getting all councils to provide counter services on Saturdays.

"Currently, only MPK is doing so. It is high time for the other councils to do the same for benefit of ratepayers."

He said he had met with local council presidents on the matter and they had agreed to the idea.

During the dinner, Liu presented prizes to the winners of a bowling competition, organised by MPK recently.

Also present were Kota Raja MP Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud, state executive councillor for education and human development Dr Halimah Ali, Selangor State Assembly speaker Teng Chang Khim, Port Klang assemblyman Badrul Hisham Abdullah and MPK president Mislan Tugiu.

[rizalhakim]

Bus operators demand incentives or higher fares


KUALA LUMPUR: [size="3']Bus operators are seeking up to a 100% fare increase or incentives to help them stay afloat amid rising fuel and operation costs.[/size]

Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association president Datuk Ashfar Ali said the incentives could be increased diesel subsidies or variable fares for peak and off-peak hours.

“This is not a threat. We are struggling to survive, and need the fare increase to help us stay afloat,” he told a press conference here yesterday.

“The last fare increase was in May 2005 and diesel prices have doubled since then. Even our cost of maintenance, labour and operation has increased.

“If nothing is done soon, more bus companies will close shop, like Foh Hup Omnibus in Kajang, Chin Wah Omnibus in Port Dickson and Lian Hoe Omnibus in Muar.”

He said bus fare collection had also fallen, partly due to the issuance of many new permits, presence of touts and limitations on the lifespan of a bus.

On May 5, 2005, the diesel price was 88 sen per litre but rose to RM1.58 in 2006.

Peninsula operators are seeking increases of 48 sen to RM1 for non-express buses without air conditioning, and 70 sen to RM1.50 for those with air-conditioning, for the first 2km of the journey, he said.

He said the association was still awaiting an answer to its memorandum submitted last April.

Ashfar called for cleaner diesel and biodiesel to be supplied to prevent damage to the engine, for permits to be frozen, and for automatic fare increases every two years.

Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board chairman Datuk Markiman Kobiran said memoranda on public transportation including taxis and school buses were at the final review stage.

.........48cents to 1.50???....wow!!!

[rizalhakim]

Bas ekonomi rakyat atasi tambang naik?

KUALA LUMPUR 29 Mei - Konsortium Transnasional Berhad (KTB) mengesyorkan agar kerajaan mewujudkan bas ekonomi rakyat tanpa melibatkan kenaikan tambang bagi membantu golongan berpendapatan rendah.

Pengerusi KTB, Datuk Mohd. Nadzmi Mohd. Salleh berkata, untuk merealisasikannya, kerajaan perlu memberi subsidi diesel RM1 setiap liter seperti yang diberikan kepada nelayan.

Untuk kelas ekonomi ini, katanya, jumlah tempat duduk ditambah dari 40 kepada 50.

Bagaimanapun, katanya, untuk kelas super ekonomi, disyorkan kerajaan menaikkan tambang sebanyak 54 peratus daripada tambang sedia ada.

Bagi kelas bisnes pula, tambah beliau, kerajaan boleh menetapkan harga minimum tanpa harga siling dan tidak perlu memberi subsidi diesel kerana bas jenis ini mempunyai jumlah kerusi yang sedikit.

"Untuk koc eksekutif pula, saya cadangkan tambangnya dinaikkan kepada 54 peratus dan kadar tambang minimum ditetapkan oleh kerajaan tanpa harga maksimum dikawal," katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia di sini hari ini.

Beliau memberi reaksi demikian berikutan cadangan kerajaan mewujudkan dua skim iaitu tambang biasa dan tambang mewah bagi memastikan rakyat terus menikmati tambang pada kadar berpatutan.

Mohd. Nadzmi juga berharap kerajaan menaikkan tambang pengangkutan awam termasuk bas dengan seberapa segera sebelum masalah lebih besar dihadapi oleh industri tersebut.

Menurut beliau, KTB sendiri telah mengalami kerugian RM35 juta tahun lalu akibat kenaikan diesel dan RM7 juta bagi suku pertama tahun ini.

Mohd. Nadzmi juga mengesyorkan agar kerajaan mewujudkan formula kenaikan tambang supaya pengguna tidak tertekan dan syarikat pengangkutan awam dapat menyeimbangkan kos.

Beliau juga memberi contoh seperti Singapura yang menaikkan tambang pengangkutan awam pada kadar dua hingga tiga peratus setiap tahun sementara Australia setiap enam bulan mengikut kenaikan harga minyak semasa.

Sementara itu, Persatuan Pengusaha-Pengusaha Bas SeMalaysia (PMBOA) khuatir sebanyak 111 syarikat akan gulung tikar, satu demi satu sekiranya kerajaan tidak membantu memenuhi cadangan kenaikan kadar tambang yang terkandung dalam memorandum yang diserahkan 10 April lalu.

Presiden PMBOA, Datuk Mohamad Ashfar Ali berkata, sehingga hari ini memorandum yang diserahkan kepada Menteri Pembangunan Usahawan dan Koperasi, Datuk Noh Omar pada tarikh tersebut tidak dijawab.

Beliau berkata, pihaknya masih menunggu jawapan positif daripada kerajaan sehingga hujung Jun ini, walaupun orang ramai membantah cadangan kenaikan tambang 100 peratus untuk bas ekspres, bas mini dan bas henti-henti.

"Saya khuatir sekiranya kerajaan tidak berbuat apa-apa mengenai cadangan kami itu, syarikat bas akan menghentikan perkhidmatan satu demi satu kerana sudah tidak mampu lagi untuk menanggung kos operasi yang kian meningkat,'' katanya.

Setakat ini katanya, enam syarikat bas telah menghentikan perkhidmatan termasuk di Pulau Pinang, Negeri Sembilan, Kuala Lumpur, Perak dan Johor.

[Skyprince]

brilliant idea !

[TWK90]

Bas ekonomi rakyat, i like that idea, but how does that fit inside Klang Valley bus system and will it have at least...........air conditioning?

[forrestcat]

Originally Posted by TWK90

Bas ekonomi rakyat, i like that idea, but how does that fit inside Klang Valley bus system and will it have at least...........air conditioning?

And drivers who only sleep 2 hours a day and on drugs.

[bobdikl]

this is a good one....
__________________________________________
Malaysiakini
Jonathan Siao | May 30, 08 4:35pm

I refer to the Malaysiakini report Najib: RapidKL subsidies to be withdrawn.

The purpose of a subsidy is to support a firm or an industry that would otherwise fail without the subsidy. It is also used to encourage an activity (the utilisation of public transportation in this case) that would not take place or occur less should the subsidy not be given out.

In the case of Rapid KL, if its subsidies were to be removed, Rapid KL would fail as a provider of public transportation as a service (not a business). A bus service is one that has a strict schedule to follow regardless of the number of people in the bus.

The minute the government takes away the subsidy, Rapid KL will not vanish but it will simply move to operate like a business where profits are prized. This is because businesses or firms practice an economic theory called profit maximisation. It is a process where the company itself determines the level of price and output to achieve optimum profit.

Rapid KL will be forced to alter its business practices with profitability as their number one priority. The following are the consequences:

Busses will not run as frequently during non-rush hour periods.


Busses will wait until they are filled with passengers before leaving from the terminal in order to ensure that maximum amount of income is generated for each trip.


Unprofitable bus routes will be scrapped.


Busses may be maintained to the level just so the doors can open and close and engine may run.
With competitiveness in mind, one might argue that should one bus operator choose to delay services and increase interval times, people may opt to choose for another bus operator. Hence, the free market will sort itself out and it will be the survival of the fittest.

However, what if all bus operators are forced to conduct such practices because the volume of passengers during non-rush hour periods simply does not suffice? The only people that lose out are consumers who will be forced to take taxis in order to be punctual. Should the individual not be able to afford a taxi, there will be an inevitable opportunity cost to time spent waiting for the bus.

I agree that competitiveness and the survival of other non-government assisted firms is essential in an economy. However, competitiveness and the survival of certain bus operators should not be prized over the well-being of the people. The sole purpose of the government is to ensure that the welfare of the people are safeguarded.

What if TNB was not government-regulated and run autonomously by a private firm from the start? The potential profits of selling electricity to rural areas would not justify the cost of erecting a national grid to those areas. Hence, part of the country might not have electricity!

I suggest that subsidies be reduced to the point slightly below that of where Rapid KL is able to maintain their frequent trips and comfortable buses. This will push Rapid KL to become more efficient and competitive and I genuinely believe that they will be able to do away with the subsidy in time. In addition, the money potentially saved from one submarine or one fighter jet could be used to subsidise other bus operators.

Najib has asserted that it is not fair to use taxpayers' money to subsidise Rapid KL and that there is a 'moral principle'. One of the purposes of the government is to redistribute income in an equitable manner. If the Rapid KL subsidy is maintained, low-income earners who depend on busses for transportation will benefit as busses will be clean, well-maintained and on time.

'Not fair to use tax payers' money' and 'moral principle' sound like a more adequate phrases for the purchase of submarines and jet planes with subsequent 'commissions' to supposed 'deal- brokers'.

In my opinion, Najib should attempt to step out of his black Perdana with tinted windows and police escort and go about his daily errands utilising the private bus operator services.

I commuted using the bus to school until I finished Form 5 less than three years ago before the new Rapid KL busses were put into service and prior to the new schedule being implemented. I must say, those rainy days waiting for the bus weren't very pleasant.

[erwinkarim]

Originally Posted by bobdikl

this is a good one....
__________________________________________
Malaysiakini
Jonathan Siao | May 30, 08 4:35pm

I suggest that subsidies be reduced to the point slightly below that of where Rapid KL is able to maintain their frequent trips and comfortable buses. This will push Rapid KL to become more efficient and competitive and I genuinely believe that they will be able to do away with the subsidy in time. In addition, the money potentially saved from one submarine or one fighter jet could be used to subsidise other bus operators.

no relation to current topic but i think opposition parties should stop with the thinking buying submarines and jet fighters "a waste of money".

[Vince]

Originally Posted by erwinkarim

no relation to current topic but i think opposition parties should stop with the thinking buying submarines and jet fighters "a waste of money".

Why do think so Erwin? Do u think that, given all other options and alternatives, the government had made a good deal purchasing all submarines and fighter jets? Pray tell why you don't agree with the opposition?


Regarding the removal of subsidy to Rapid KL bus, I have a feeling that the government is just punishing the rakyat in KL and Selangor for overwhelmingly voting in Opposition. This government always turn around from their pledges and promises whenever they like, and it is getting very tiresome. Many Malaysian buses have been notoriously dirty and undermaintained for the longest time in most cities and towns due to a lack of good government subsidies. Operators are only interested in making money, and although the fares are kept low, buses are usually in horrible conditions. When we all think that the government had finally done the right thing by initiating Rapid KL, this turn-around action to remove subsidy only serves to bring down Rapid KL as viable and clean means to travel. The government argues, "It is not fair to subsidise Rapid KL while other bus companies are struggling". BS!! This argument holds no water. If the government is keen to improving public transportation in KL, or anywhere else, then it should SUBSIDISE EVERY SINGLE PUBLIC BUS COMPANY! Some of you may ask,"Where does the government get all that money?" Well, stop pumping money into useless projects like "elevated highway from KL to Putrajaya" or "Putrajaya Monorail" or "Corridors" etc etc. I'm sure the government would have tons of money then to improve BASIC BUS SERVICES IN CITIES.

[erwinkarim]

Originally Posted by Vince

Why do think so Erwin? Do u think that, given all other options and alternatives, the government had made a good deal purchasing all submarines and fighter jets? Pray tell why you don't agree with the opposition?


Regarding the removal of subsidy to Rapid KL bus, I have a feeling that the government is just punishing the rakyat in KL and Selangor for overwhelmingly voting in Opposition. This government always turn around from their pledges and promises whenever they like, and it is getting very tiresome. Many Malaysian buses have been notoriously dirty and undermaintained for the longest time in most cities and towns due to a lack of good government subsidies. Operators are only interested in making money, and although the fares are kept low, buses are usually in horrible conditions. When we all think that the government had finally done the right thing by initiating Rapid KL, this turn-around action to remove subsidy only serves to bring down Rapid KL as viable and clean means to travel. The government argues, "It is not fair to subsidise Rapid KL while other bus companies are struggling". BS!! This argument holds no water. If the government is keen to improving public transportation in KL, or anywhere else, then it should SUBSIDISE EVERY SINGLE PUBLIC BUS COMPANY! Some of you may ask,"Where does the government get all that money?" Well, stop pumping money into useless projects like "elevated highway from KL to Putrajaya" or "Putrajaya Monorail" or "Corridors" etc etc. I'm sure the government would have tons of money then to improve BASIC BUS SERVICES IN CITIES.

i agree w/ PR MPs notion that we need more transparency in purchasing military assets for Malaysia's finest. I agree w/ them the government could get a better deal on purchasing assets like M4 carbine for our army, Patrol Boats for our Navy, Helicopters for our Air force and sig sauer for our police.

what i don't agree w/ them is the idea that we don't need the latest jet fighters, frigates, destroyers, submarines, to protect our borders cause they cost too much. national security is as important as political stability, business friendly environment and world class infrastructure. if law and order and security can't be maintained, there won't be political stability, business-friendly environment and world class infra.

[Vince]

Originally Posted by erwinkarim

i agree w/ PR MPs notion that we need more transparency in purchasing military assets for Malaysia's finest. I agree w/ them the government could get a better deal on purchasing assets like M4 carbine for our army, Patrol Boats for our Navy, Helicopters for our Air force and sig sauer for our police.

what i don't agree w/ them is the idea that we don't need the latest jet fighters, frigates, destroyers, submarines, to protect our borders cause they cost too much. national security is as important as political stability, business friendly environment and world class infrastructure. if law and order and security can't be maintained, there won't be political stability, business-friendly environment and world class infra.

OK gotcha Erwin.

[rizalhakim]

Noh: Public transport operators need not fret


SHAH ALAM: Public transport operators must not increase their fares as the sector is not affected by the latest fuel price increase.

Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Minister Datuk Noh Omar said all public transport vehicles were issued with fleet cards and the subsidised price of diesel under the system remained at RM1.43 per litre.

As for taxis, he said operators who did not use the fleet card ran on NGV, which was also not affected by the latest review.

“Thus there is absolutely no reason for public transport operators to increase their fares,” he said on the sidelines of the Umno supreme council retreat here yesterday.

Noh, however, said the public should prepare themselves for higher public transport fares soon because the current fare structure was undergoing a review.

“The Cabinet Committee on Public Transportation has also agreed in principle to review road tax, toll rates and excise tax for the sector,” he added.

[rizalhakim]

Bus services may grind to a halt when quota runs out


PETALING JAYA: Stage and express buses may stop running in the last week of every month if operators do not receive more subsidised diesel supply under the fleet card system.

Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association president Datuk Ashfar Ali said although the system entitled them to diesel at RM1.43 a litre, supply was not enough.

“The amount we get is enough for about 70% of our operations. Unless we get at least 30% more, we are in trouble,” he told The Star.

Ashfar said operators used to absorb the price difference when the pump price was RM1.58 a litre but could not manage now that the price was increased to RM2.58 yesterday.

“My members are saying that when they run out of the diesel quota, they will stop operating until they receive the quota for the following month,” he said.

Ashfar added that bus companies also faced problems with some oil companies over the fleet card system as the rebate was not given instantly to operators, with some taking up to a month to do it.

Under the fleet card system, operators have the option of having post-paid or pre-paid accounts with oil companies.

On the seat belt ruling for bus passengers, he said operators were willing to absorb the cost of installing the belts but the Government had to provide the belts.

A check at Puduraya bus terminal revealed that some bus companies had raised fares by RM10.

According to a ticket seller who wished to remain anonymous, the company was charging more because of higher costs.

“Fuel prices should be the last thing to be raised. Now we are struggling to get by,” he said.

N. Mahalecumy, 21, a student, was shocked when the bus company she always travelled with increased the fare to Ipoh from RM13 to RM25.

When she refused to pay that price, the bus operator relented and sold her the ticket for RM14.

But there was a catch - she had to wait four hours for her bus to depart.

[OshHisham]

wahai encik Noh Omar, boss nko naik harga minya. lepas tu nko tak kasik bus operator naik tambang...nko ingat bas tu bergerak pakai air ke..? cubalah pakai otak sikit...

[OshHisham]

does government(DBKL) has any plan to force the usage of NGV buses? it is good to reduce pollution in KL...

allurban, hopefully you can push government over this NGV buses whenever you have a discussion with them...plz...

[TWK90]

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/N...cle/index_html

According from this, Rapid Penang CEO said that, they are not going to increase their fares for now...

But in future, I hope government announce some concrete plans on public transport, we all getting bored with the word "we are going to improve...." and nothing, haha....

[rizalhakim]

Tiket bas naik RM5 hingga RM10
Harga barangan lain ‘tunggu giliran’ naik dalam masa terdekat




JUALAN tiket bas ekspres di Terminal Shahab Perdana di Alor Star, Kedah juga dinaikkan semalam.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


KUALA LUMPUR – Belum sempat tiga hari selepas pengumuman kenaikan harga petrol dan diesel, kebanyakan syarikat bas ekspres sudah ‘pandai-pandai’ menaikkan harga tiket dari RM5 hingga RM10.

Tinjauan Kosmo! di Puduraya di sini dan Terminal Shahab Perdana di Alor Star, Kedah semalam mendapati ada pengusaha bas ekspres mengambil kesempatan memenaikkan harga tiket atas alasan kenaikan harga bahan api itu.

Malah tindakan mereka itu dianggap sudah mendahului keputusan persatuan dan tanpa restu agensi kerajaan terlibat.

Jualan harga tiket yang melebihi antara RM5 dan RM10 itu dikesan untuk ke destinasi tumpuan iaitu dari negeri utara ke Lembah Klang terutama Kuala Lumpur cukup merungsingkan pengguna.

Seperti contoh, harga tiket bas ekspres dari kedua-dua hala itu biasanya dijual RM30 dinaikkan sehingga RM40 tetapi ada sesetengah pengusaha yang menaikkan sebanyak RM35.

Seperti contoh, bagi destinasi dari Alor Star ke Kajang, Selangor yang dahulunya RM35 dinaikkan kepada RM40 yang mula dikuatkuasakan serta-merta semalam.

Bagaimanapun tiket bas ekspres yang tidak terlalu menjadi tumpuan pengguna seperti ke Johor Bahru tidak pula dinaikkan dan kekal pada harga lama iaitu RM55.

Seorang pegawai pemasaran, Anita Adlin, 28, memberitahu, dia terkejut apabila mengetahui harga tiket dari Alor Star ke Kuala Lumpur naik sampai RM10.

“Biasa RM30 saja, bila jurujual kata naik RM10, saya teragak-agak nak bayar, susah la macam ni kalau semua benda naik harga lepas harga minyak naik,” jelasnya.

Bagi seorang lagi pembeli, Rozlan Razlan, 30, harga tiket bas yang naik itu cukup membebankan memandangkan dia selalu berulang-alik dari Kedah ke ibu kota.

“Isteri saya tinggal di Kuala Lumpur, saya kerja di sini, kalau tiap-tiap minggu berulang-alik dengan harga tiket bas RM40 susahlah saya, harga barang naik, gaji tak naik,” ujarnya bekerja swasta.

Seorang jurujual tiket di terminal itu, Rizal Salleh, 25, mengaku, tambang bas ekspres naik sesuatu yang tidak dapat dielakkan.

“Kalau tambang tak naik, kami akan rugi, setakat ini kami hanya naikkan tiket bagi laluan yang menjadi tumpuan seperti Kuala Lumpur sahaja,” jelasnya.

Bagi seorang lagi penjual tiket bas ekspres, Rahim Amar, 27, walaupun ramai pembeli merungut tetapi mereka tiada pilihan.

“Bas guna minyak, kalau harga minyak naik, tiket perlu naik untuk elak kerugian,” katanya.

Selain harga tiket bas ekspres, beberapa barangan lain juga mendapat tempias yang sama.

Di PAHANG, harga ayam sudah mula naik antara 20 hingga 40 sen.

Ayam standard dengan kepala, kaki dan hempedal, dijual RM6.20 hingga RM6.40 sekilogram melebihi RM6 bagi harga siling sebelum ini.

Di SEREMBAN, majoriti peniaga hanya menunggu saat dan ketika sahaja untuk menaikkan harga barang.

Rata-rata mereka beranggapan sekiranya menaikkan harga, mereka terpaksa mengikut rentak yang sama.

Di JOHOR BAHRU, harga barang basah di beberapa pasar di daerah ini dijangka naik mulai minggu depan.

Ia berdasarkan tinjauan Kosmo! semalam yang mendapati para peniaga mengeluh berikutan segelintir pembekal telah menguar-uarkan akan menaikkan harga barangan jualan mereka.

Peniaga daging di Pasar Larkin, Yousof Jantan, 54, berkata, harga daging terutamanya daging sejuk beku dijangka akan naik mulai minggu depan.