KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association will allow bus operators to increase the rental prices of travel buses by up to 20% while waiting for a decision on the subsidised diesel appeal.
Its president, Leon Hoon Min, says that after a discussion with bus operating associations, it was agreed that the price hike would be implemented on June 17 to cope with the higher unsubsidised diesel price.
“We had a positive response from Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing from our letter of appeal we sent last Tuesday (June 11),” she said during a press conference at Corus Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.
Leon and Tiong will meet with the key players in the bus operating industry at the end of June or early July to discuss the appeal further.
“In the meantime, we have to consider the summer holidays as an important time for Malaysian tourism.”
“Without the subsidies, and now the rise of bus rental prices, the burden of cost now falls to the consumer, both domestically and internationally.”
Leon said that the tourism industry is still recovering from Covid-19, as many bus operators are still dealing with debt incurred during the pandemic.
“We also want to maintain the quality of service and avoid bus operators from finding ways to cut corners to save costs.”
Leon also urged bus operators to comply with the 20% rise and not make prices unnecessarily high.
“This is a short-term solution, and we hope all the industry players will cooperate for the time being while we come to an agreement that can benefit all parties,” she said.
The association would monitor this price increase from time to time in line with the oil price announcements.
