Yesterday, Rail operator Express Rail Link Sdn Bhd (ERL) announced that it will increase the fare for the KLIA Express from the current RM35 to RM55 beginning January 1.
The 57% increase is massive and unacceptable as it will increase the financial burden of travellers.
If a family of 4 travels together, the total fares for one trip will increase from RM140 to RM220, an increase of RM 80. And it is trend that many families do travel together.
The Vision & Mission of ERL is “To be the premier and preferred surface transportation mode providing international standards of service and recognized internationally as the top service provider in air-rail connection”.
Such big increase in fares has totally gone against the Vision and Mission of ERL.
It is absolutely irrational and illogical for ERL chief executive Noormah Mohd Noor to defend such hefty increase of fares by saying that ERL structured its new fares with customers in mind.
If ERL insists to maintain the increase of its fares, it will only invite consumers boycott and encourage more passengers to take taxi, bus and even uber to airport.
I urge the Ministry of Transport to intervene into the increase of the ERL’s fares in order to protect consumers’ interest.