The move by highway concessionaires to increase toll rates at most highways this Thursday received flak from consumer associations over concerns about the rising cost of living.
Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations secretary-general Dato’ Paul Selvaraj said the last minute announcement on toll hike was unfair to consumers as the public had little time to react or raise their concerns on the matter.
“Nobody seems to care about the consumers. Why the last minute announcement?
“The way they (highway concessionaires) handle their communications is very poor.
“They should inform the masses earlier and convince the public why the price hike is needed and how it will benefit the road users,” he told The New Straits Times yesterday.
With most highways raising their tolls simultaneously, Paul said, motorists had no alternative but to comply with the new rates as the public transportation system in the country had yet to meet a satisfactory level.
“(Our) public transportation is not efficient.” “People need to drive, face congestion and pay for parking.”
On the Oct 8 announcement by The Land Public Transport Commission on a possible price hike of light rail transit (LRT) fares by month end, Paul said the hike should mirror the quality of service.
“If price are increased, people will expect better service.”
He urged the government to improve the quality, safety and reliability of public transportation.
National Consumer Complaints Centre board member Muhammad Shaani Abdullah said the toll hike was an anti-climax for Malaysians who were hoping that the upcoming tabling of the 2016 Budget would alleviate the rising cost of living.
He said the news shocked the public and lamented that there was no transparency to the decision.
“This is not fair to the public. We are left with no choice but to pay. Even our public transportation fares dont make sense.”
He said the consumers were always at the losing end.
“If we drive, we face traffic congestion, exorbitant parking rates and toll fares.
“If we take public transportation, the connectivity and reliability is low.”
Source : New Straits Time – (13 October 2015, Tuesday)