SUNGAI PETANI: With dwindling ridership numbers and higher operating costs, school bus operators said they are continuing to ply the trade for the sake of the schoolchildren.
"We are no longer operating on profit. This is just our service to the schoolchildren and we will continue doing so for as long as we can afford it.
"We are merely helping the parents so that they can go to work with peace of mind," said Wan Mohd Taufek, who operates a fleet of 10 school vans for SK Sri Gedong pupils and nearby schools here.
He said the fare charged was just enough to cover his monthly overhead cost of RM20,000 to manage the fleet and pay his drivers.
"I spend around RM4,000 on diesel alone since I have stopped getting subsidy from the government in recent months.
"Honestly, I am not making any profit here. It is just my service to the community," he said.
Wan Mohd said he was able to manage the operating cost as he has his own workshop, apart from earning income from other business ventures.
"I am a retiree and my other business help me earn a living without depending on profit from this school bus business.
"Many other operators have had to sell their buses and vans during the pandemic.
"Those who are still plying the trade are struggling to stay afloat due to high operation costs because the spare parts and maintenance costs have increased significantly in recent months."
Wan Mohd said raising the fares was not a viable option as their clients did not come from wealthy families.
"We charge RM65 a month per child. Some parents with three kids spend almost RM200 per month on school bus fares alone.
"We just don't have the heart to place more burden on the parents as they are also struggling with the high cost of living.
"Hence, we will continue providing the community service for as long as we can afford it, despite the lower volume of passengers as there are children who still need our service," he said.
Wan Mohd said to compound matters, there was no proper body to represent the voice of school bus operators.
"As far as I am concerned, there is no proper organisation for school bus operators in the state .
"So, we are left to fend for ourselves," he said, calling on the government to look into ways to help the operators.
Wan Mohd said due to revenue constraints, he could not even afford to provide the basic monthly minimum pay of RM1,500 to his drivers.
"To do that, I will have to raise the fares. But as I mentioned just now, it is not an easy option."
