*UPDATE*

The implementation of the new fares for express bus and rail services has been postponed (to a date to be announced later), while the new increase fare for taxis can continue to the implemented.

Those who rely on taxis, express buses and the KTM to commute will soon have to pay a little more.

According to the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD), the base rate for both Klang Valley and Penang budget taxis remain at RM3, but Teksi1M will have an increase of RM4 for its base rate.

For taxis in KL, the distance fare will increase from 10 sen for 115m to 25 sen per 200m. Taxi drivers can implement the new base rate once their meters are calibrated, which entails a Puspakom check on their vehicles.

For express buses, the fares will rise from 9.3 sen per km to 11.4 sen per km. So, if you used to pay RM20.60 for an express bus ticket from KL to Ipoh, the new rate will mean that you have to pay RM25.30.

The reason for the hike? According to SPAD’s chairman, Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar, the operating cost for buses and taxis have gone up by 33% with NGV prices alone increasing by 11.3%.

“Cumulative inflation, depreciation and increase in wages need to be taken into consideration,” he said, adding that NGV prices are also expected to increase six months after the revision.

The last time taxi and bus fares were reviewed was in 2009. The hike for Taxi and express bus will be implemented from April 1.

KTM Berhad also recently announced new fares (an increase of up to RM7.10!) for its train service.

According to the statement, the difference in the rate of new one-way fares compared with existing fares is dependent on the distance of travel from one station to another.

KTM also announced a new discount of 20% for stored value card holders, a discount of 18-26% for weekly pass holders and discounts of 19-35% for monthly pass holders. The discounts will also depend on the distance travelled.

The good news is that there will be no fare increase for the elderly, those with disabilities and also for children aged 4-12 years old. Those who fall under these categories will continue to enjoy concessionary fares at the rate of 50% of the new cash fares.

These new rates are excluded from the Goods and Services Tax. The last time KTM fares were reviewed was in 2003. The new fares will be implemented from May 1, according to Bernama. More information on KTM’s fare increase will be available to the public next month.

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Source: New Straits Times, Bernama