Nancy: Thorough study needed before school bus fares deregulation can be implemented

KUCHING, Oct 9, 2014: Any move to deregulate school bus fares in Sarawak needs to be thoroughly studied before it can be implemented, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nancy Shukri explained today.

She was commenting on an announcement by the Land Transport Commission (SPAD) that school bus fares deregulation would be implemented in Malaya starting the first day of school in January next year.

Nancy said that Sarawak would have to wait before such deregulation could be implemented.

"This is due to various factors that affect the practicability of it considering the different situational environment between Malaya and Sarawak, both in terms of the number of school bus operators, number of students and the distance covered by the school bus operators in the states concerned," she explained.

Nancy said that the Sarawak Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (LPKP) is conducting a study on the effectiveness and suitability of such  change in policy.

"This includes taking into account all responses and reactions received from all stakeholders towards the deregulation of fares on school buses, after its implementation in Malaya.

"In the event that the outcome is positive, sustainable and suitably applicable in Sarawak, only then will the deregulation of the school bus fares be approved and carried out.

"However, the move does not mean that the school bus fares will be raised, instead it acts to provide a platform for parents to practise their rights in negotiating and determining the best price charged in line with the service, safety and comfort offered by the school bus operators," she stressed.

On a related matter, Nancy said several parties have also expressed concern about the impact of subsidies on diesel fuel to bus operators in the state.

She said that Sarawak LPKP Diesel Subsidy Committee had reviewed and considered the proposal by the bus operators in the state and are to be submitted to the Government to help ease the burden those involved.

At the same time, she advised that all parties to remain calm and wait for the Budget 2015 announcement this Friday by Prime Minister Najib Razak in order to assess the impact of the budgetary plan for the industry.