Taken on a (costly) ride

One small news item caught my eyes today. I am not talking about the royal commission inquiry into the Lingam tape but on another matter which should really concern almost every man on the street.

Well, it is the news about how taxi/bus operators and KTM are asking for fare hikes.

Below are their demands:

Bus operators: fares to be doubled

Taxi operators: Increase the flat starting rate from RM2 to RM3, and increase the per-kilometre and waiting time rates.

KTM: 30 percent increase for inter-city routes, and 50 percent for commuter services.

The reasons for their demands? Rising fuel costs, to combat heavy competition and high operating costs.

As it is, we know roughly that gas and electricity price hikes will take off soon after the GE. There are also plans afoot to cut fuel subsidies as it is costing the government US$10 billion for this year.

That means a good chance of increased fuel prices. The government last imposed its highest-ever fuel price rises in February 2006, as usual, citing the spiralling cost of crude oil.

And it pledged to use the cost savings to boost the country's substandard transport system.

Almost one year later, we see that not just there are serious possibility of price increases of EVERYTHING, but no news at all on the government grand plan to use saved fuel money to upgrade the transport system. All we have is yet another blueprint by the deputy prime minister.

Looks like we have been taken for a ride and the ride shall continue with the public commuters having to dig deeper when they use public transportation or when they drive in the luxury of their own vehicles.

I am sure Pak Lah’s popularity is not at stake at all for the coming polls!!!

P/S: I am also sure the school bus operators and lorry owners will soon stand in the queue asking for government permission to increase their rates. It is a chain reaction which will result in the increment of all essential items, which is already in motion as we speak.