PETALING JAYA: School bus fares will increase by RM5 to RM10 starting from February, said the Federation of Malaysian School Bus Association (GPBSM).
Its president Mohd Rofik Mohd Yusof said school bus operators have proposed an increase but this will depend on the mutual agreement between operators and parents.
Parents can still verify the price increase with their individual bus operators, he said.
He added that this increase is based on mutual agreement and operators will not force parents to accept it, reported Sinchew Daily.
He said if parents disagree, they can choose another bus operator that fits their budget.
Mohd Rofik said operators had requested an increase in fares due to increased operating costs.
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"Although school bus operators receive diesel subsidies, other costs such as spare parts, tires and insurance have greatly increased," he said.
He said that costs are high and a RM5 to RM10 increase is "very reasonable".
He added that starting Feb 1, the minimum wage for drivers would be RM1,700.
"Some members have said that if they can't afford the cost, they have to stop operating," he said.
He said that the government would not intervene in the price increase as fees have been self-regulated since 2015.
"Hopefully, the country is aware of our current high operating costs.
"Parents and operators both need to compromise for a win-win situation," he said.
