KUALA LUMPUR, March 21 — Despite being displeased with the impending fare hikes for taxis and express buses, most commuters seem resigned to paying more.

It is just one more inconvenience to an already difficult life, said a fishmonger known as Wong, 33.

“What can we do? Everything has gone up. I still have to use the bus, I have no choice,” he said while waiting for his bus to Ipoh at Pudu Sentral.

“With an income of RM900 a month, how can you survive after paying house rent and other bills?

“Paying extra for a bus ticket is one more thing to worry about. That's how life is now.”

At the TBS Integrated Terminal in Bandar Tasik Selatan, International Islamic University Malaysia architecture student Marliyana Mayamin Abdul Kahar, 20, said students should receive concessions.

“I'll be happy with even a 10 per cent discount,” she said.

She was already paying RM3 more for the trip from Kuala Lumpur to Johor Baru before the Public Land Transport Commission (SPAD) announced sharp increases for express bus, taxi and KTM Komuter on Thursday.

“They said the increase from RM38 to RM41 was caused by their bus 'system' upgrade.”

Azizah Tik, 75, said while fare increases were unavoidable, the authorities should stagger the hikes over the years so consumers “won't feel the bite that much”.

“They shouldn't increase the fares drastically, all at once,” she said.

Another senior citizen said while the cost of living kept rising, incomes remained low.

“The man on the street can't understand why prices are rising,” said the man who identified himself as Foo.

“Even when fuel prices are low, everything is going up. Seemingly, we cannot escape this and have to live with it.”

Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia student Muhamad Affifuddin Mohamad Rosdin, 21, said the fare hike would affect the lower income group.

“I understand that bus operators have to bear operating costs but they need to think of consumers too,” he said.

“I'm not sure what can be done as this seems to be the way here. It will be tough to think of an ideal solution.”

While consumers were disgruntled by the fare hikes, land transport consultant Y.S. Chan said the real focus should be on improving the transportation industry as a whole.

“For example, the bulk of the taxi permits are issued to individuals, but the majority of the taxi drivers you meet are having to rent permits ― why is this so?”

“We can start by giving SPAD more 'bite' for enforcement. The Road Transport Department should be doing more as well.”

Chan said consumers should take the initiative to report errant taxi drivers.

“The taxi service we have is reflective of our society. If we let people get away with things, such as bad driving, they will continue doing it.”