Budget 2024: Govt urged to set up public transport review panel

KUALA LUMPUR: The government should set up a Public Transport Review Committee to look at tariff hike regulations in the upcoming Budget 2024, says the Malaysian Public Transport Users Association (4PAM).

Its president Ajit Johl said the objective of the committee, which should consist of all stakeholders and be chaired by the Transport Ministry, is to ensure that public transport is not monopolised and is sustainable for the operators.

"4PAM would also like to propose the establishment of a Public Transport Tribunal to ensure users have a transparent recourse that is effective, efficient and user-friendly.

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"Express bus riders often have little room to lodge a complaint and must deal with operators, who are not very customer-oriented. The public transport industry should emulate the financial services mediation board,” he said in a recent interview.

To encourage the use of public transport, Ajit proposed that the government gradually phase down fuel subsidies (25% per annum) and utilise the funds to improve public transportation.

He pointed out that the government spent close to RM50.8bil on petrol, diesel, and liquified petroleum gas (LPG) subsidies last year, money that could have been used to improve and upgrade public transport facilities.

Ajit said 4PAM also supported the government’s initiative to resume stalled discussions on the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail (HSR) project.

On the government’s efforts to promote a conducive electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem, he said they must be balanced with incentives for public transport.

Meanwhile, Gabungan Ehailing Malaysia (GEM) proposed that the government set aside an allocation of RM650mil to boost the gig industry and safeguard the welfare of workers in the sector, which was impacted by global economic uncertainties.

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It also proposed that stakeholders in the gig economy, particularly ehailing drivers and p-hailing riders, receive initiatives and assistance such as contributions to Socso's Self-Employment Social Security Scheme, the Employment Insurance System, and the EPF i-Saraan scheme.

"GEM also proposes that the government provide skills training programmes; a subsidy for the renewal of insurance and road tax; vehicle maintenance loan assistance; as well as a mobile phone subsidy and cheaper internet packages for gig workers,” he said.

Budget 2024 is scheduled to be tabled in Parliament on Oct 13. – Bernama