The Land Public Transport Commission (Spad) has proposed to increase public transport fees, its chairperson Syed Hamid Albar was reported as saying in The Star today.
 
According to Syed Hamid, an increase in fares is "justifiable".
 
According to the report, the proposal had been sent in to the Federal Government following a study that SPAD had conducted.
 
"We understand the plight of public transport companies and agree there is a need for an increase in fares including for taxis," he was quoted as saying in a press conference in Johor today.
 
"The review for new fare rates is already in its final round. I hope that public transportation companies including taxis can be patient," Syed Hamid (left) added.
 
The Transport Ministry will decide on the recommendation, he further said, the report stated.
 
The rise in public transport fares will add on to recently increased fuel prices as part of the government's subsidy rationalisation program and also the soon-to-be-introduced Goods and Services Tax (GST), which are all expected to add on to rising living costs.

According to independent pollster Merdeka Center, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s ratings is closely correlated with cost of living and tends to dip when prices of consumer goods like petrol rises.