SEREMBAN: The Malaysia School Bus Drivers and Operators Association (GPBSM) has no plans to raise school bus fares until the end of this year's school session.

President Mohd Rofik Mohd Yusof today said: "School bus operators get diesel subsidies, so we have decided to maintain the rates, even though there may be an increase in spare part prices.

"We will not increase school bus fares this year. We are aware that any increase in fares will pose difficulties for the public, especially parents who rely on this service."

Transport Minister Anthony Loke recently said there shouldn't be school bus fare hikes as the subsidised diesel control system (SKDS) 1.0 for public land transport vehicles remained at RM1.88 per litre.

Loke had said this scheme also applied to express bus operators, who could not arbitrarily raise fares without approval from the Land Public Transport Agency.

Rofik said school bus fares were regulated and required an agreement with parents.

He said parents could discuss with school bus operators and agree on appropriate rates.

There were 8,000 school bus operators nationwide under the association.

Meanwhile, Rofik said he hoped that fleet card approval applications under the SKDS could be expedited to at least two days.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/06/1064352/no-increase-school-bus-fares-year