Pebat Urges Gov't To Consider Diesel Subsidy For Tour Buses

KOTA BHARU, April 6 (Bernama) -- The East Coast Bus Association (PEBAT) has urged the government to consider providing diesel subsidies to the tour bus industry to remain competitive in uncertain economic times.

Its deputy president, Wan Mohd Nuhairi Wan Hamat said without the subsidy, the costs of operations will rise due to the high price of diesel and spare parts and many operators run the risk of shutting down.

"Currently, we have about 1,000 tour bus operators with 5,000 buses. The diesel subsidy is very important as a fare price control mechanism that will not onl save bus operators but ensure that the tourism industry isn’t paralysed.

"Previously, the Malaysian Bumiputera Bus Operators Association (PPBBM) sent a letter to the related ministry about the matter but have yet to receive a response,” he told reporters in Pengkalan Chepa, here today, adding that they were ready to meet and discuss with the government and would agree to terms they deemed acceptable.

Bus operator Mohamad Fakkarudin Ibrahim, 32, who owns 20 buses and has 15 workers, shared that the rising price of diesel had resulted in him cancelling several trips as the payment by customers could not cover the costs.

Meanwhile, tour bus driver Mohd Azuan Hamid, 45, said the current situation would cause them to lose their sources of income due to a lack of bus bookings.

"I have four schoolgoing children, when a trip is cancelled, my income and daily activities are affected,” he said as he expressed hope that the government would be able to provide some form of assistance.

-- BERNAMA