School bus operators are defying the Land Public Transport Commission (Spad) warnings not to push up their rates, threatening to halt their services if the commission acts against them.

Peninsular Malaysia Bus Drivers Association (PPBSM) president Amali Munif Rahmat was quoted as saying that his members were aware that they could face action under the Competition Act 2010 but had no choice but to hike their rates, according to a Berita Harian report today.

"The hike is to cover our losses following the rise in diesel price.

"But if action is taken against us, we will not hesitate to stop our services," he was quoted as saying.

He said his members cannot afford to pay the compound of up to RM50,000 if action is take against them.

Spad had said that it has not approved any hike by school bus operators but several operators in various states have ignored the commission.

The school bus fare hike is as high as 40 percent.

Meanwhile, another report in the New Straits Times, said that concessonaires of several highways in Klang Valley are mulling a new toll system whereby an antenna mounted above monitoring passing vehicles will immediately deduct their credit.

The move means ordinary toll booths, which cause traffic congestion, will be done away with, the report said.