Free rides unlikely to cut car dependency, say experts

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Category: Pengangkutan Awam

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PETALING JAYA: Poor connectivity rather than cost is keeping commuters at the wheel, making free rides on public transport unfeasible in efforts to get people to leave their cars at home, say transport experts.
Ajit Johl of the Association for the Improvement of Mass Transit and transport consultant Wan Agyl Wan Hassan agree that Malaysia’s bigger problem is not fares but weak connectivity and poor last-mile links.

“Such a system still makes private vehicle use more attractive for many commuters,” they told FMT.Temporary free public transport is unlikely on its own to persuade large numbers of people to leave their cars at home, they added.

Ajit and Wan Agyl were responding to suggestions that Malaysia takes a leaf out of Australian states Victoria and Tasmania’s book in dealing with the current fuel supply concerns.

Victoria is offering free public transport for a month from March 31, while Tasmania is waiving fares for buses and ferries from March 30 to July 1.

Ajit said he was not in favour of making public transport free, arguing that it should be affordable and sustainable instead.

“Making it free can create long-term expectations and eventually hurt maintenance and service quality,” he said.

He said the government should also move away from fuel subsidies, arguing that cheap fuel only keeps private vehicle use attractive and slows the shift to public transport.

Ajit said the recent cut in subsidised RON95 quota from 300 litres to 200 litres was a step in the right direction.

Given that regular public transport users already have the RM50 monthly travel pass, they do not face the same direct fuel-cost pressure as private motorists, he said.

Wan Agyl said no-fare schemes may raise ridership but do little by themselves to pull motorists off the road in the long term.

“They do not meaningfully shift people out of cars on their own,” he said.

He said commuters respond to the overall travel experience rather than just fares. For instance, he said, travel time, reliability and door-to-door convenience weigh more heavily on daily decisions.

Wan Agyl singled out poor connectivity, lack of frequency and last-mile access as the main weaknesses in the public transport system.

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/04/01/free-rides-unlikely-to-cut-car-dependency-say-experts

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Increase in cost of food, essentials a strain: Fomca

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Category: Isu Makanan

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Fomca says rising food and daily costs continue to strain Malaysian households despite stable petrol prices

PETALING JAYA: While petrol prices remain stable, Malaysian households are still grappling with high living costs, with rising prices of food and daily essentials continuing to strain family budgets, according to the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca).

“Stable fuel prices do help prevent further escalation in costs. Daily expenses such as food, utilities and services play a much larger role in shaping household financial pressures,” said Fomca CEO Saravanan Thambirajah. He said despite steady petrol prices, many households do not feel a meaningful reduction in overall expenses.

https://thesun.my/news/malaysia-news/people-issues/increase-in-cost-of-food-essentials-a-strain-fomca/

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Maintaining 800-Litre BUDI95 Limit For e-Hailing Helps Stabilise Costs - GEM

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Category: Alam Sekitar - Tenaga

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KUALA LUMPUR, March 26 (Bernama) -- The government’s decision to maintain the monthly ceiling of up to 800 litres under the Budi MADANI RON95 (BUDI95) programme for e-hailing drivers and gig workers is seen as a timely measure to help stabilise operating costs amid adjustments to the subsidy scheme.

Malaysian E-hailing Coalition (GEM) chief activist Masrizal Mahidin said the move could also stimulate demand for e-hailing services following the temporary adjustment to the BUDI95 quota eligibility beginning next month.

 https://www.bernama.com/en/news.php/?id=2538016

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Retiree threatens legal action over ‘excessive’ insurance premium hikes

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Category: Polisi Awam

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KUALA LUMPUR: A retiree has warned that he will take legal action against an insurance company and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) if they fail to respond to his demands over what he claims are excessive medical insurance premium hikes.

Lawyer Ng Kian Nam said his client, Wong Kee Chong, is demanding that the insurer stop imposing premium hikes beyond the ranges stated in the policy illustration; that BNM issue a permanent circular to enforce this; and that both parties explain why insured patients are charged more than cash-paying patients.

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/04/02/retiree-threatens-legal-action-over-excessive-insurance-premium-hikes

Read more: Retiree threatens legal action over ‘excessive’ insurance premium hikes