Is it fair? Parents question necessity of school bus fare increase

SHAH ALAM - Proposed school bus fare increases have met with resistance from parents, particularly those with multiple children.

Sinar's survey revealed concerns about the financial burden and a desire for further scrutiny from all stakeholders.

Kamarulzaman Salleh, a 50-year-old self-employed man, opposed the hikes, suggesting government subsidies for school bus operators as a potential solution.

"With the current economic instability and rising cost of living, it's simply not the right time to burden parents, especially those with several children.

"An increase of RM70 per child can quickly become overwhelming, adding to the pressure of everyday expenses," he said.

Norzilawati Rahmat, a 48-year-old account assistant, echoed these concerns, highlighting the strain on working parents.

"The escalating cost of living is already a major source of stress for citizens.

"Seeing prices rise across the board, especially for essential services like school transport, is truly disheartening," she said.

Norzilawati proposed exploring alternative means of reducing costs, such as seeking sponsorships from bus companies.

On Sunday, newspapers reported that school bus fares for the upcoming new academic session are expected to increase due to rising operating and maintenance costs, especially in urban areas such as the Klang Valley.

The Federation of Malaysian School Bus Associations president Amali Munif Rahmat was reported as saying that the price increase is not uniform and will depend on the operator as the party running the operation.