KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 2 ― DAP MP Teresa Kok today joined the chorus of disapproval over the 57 per cent fare hike for KLIA Express and warned rail operator Express Rail Link (ERL) that the sudden increase could result in a backlash.
In a statement, the Seputeh MP said Malaysians may start boycotting the train service or resort to using taxis, busses and even the Uber ridesharing service as their alternative modes of transport to the airport.
“It is absolutely irrational and illogical for ERL chief executive Noormah Mohd Noor to defend such hefty increase of fares by saying that ERL structured its new fares with customers in mind.
“If ERL insists to maintain the increase of its fares, it will only invite consumers boycott and encourage more passengers to take taxi, bus and even uber to airport,” she said.
Kok also urged the Transport Ministry to intervene on the matter, saying it was necessary to protect the interest of consumers.
Earlier today, another DAP lawmaker, Serdang MP Ong Kian Ming questioned the necessity of such a hefty hike in fare prices and demanded that the increase be suspended indefinitely while the ministry conducts an open inquiry to determine a reasonable fare revision.
The lawmaker also urged the government to disclose the terms of its 30-year concession agreement with KLIA Express as well as any other supplementary agreements, including the one signed for the construction of the KLIA2 extension.
In a statement yesterday, ERL announced that it will increase the fare for the KLIA Express from the current RM35 to RM55 beginning January 1.
The firm stressed, however, that the new rate was still less than what the firm was entitled to charge based on its concession agreement, which it said allowed it to set the fare at RM64 per journey.
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