KUALA LUMPUR(Malaysia): Taxi operators still want an upward fare revision despite being allowed to buy petrol at a subsidised price.

A survey of taxi operators showed that buying petrol at the subsidised price of RM1.92 per litre would not be of much benefit.

From July 27 onwards, all taxis can buy 720 litres a month of petrol at the subsidised price, after applying for a fleet card from the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs ministry office in Putrajaya.

Federal Territory and Selangor Taxi Operations president Datuk Aslah Abdullah said it would not help ease the burden of taxi drivers as the subsidised price of RM1.92 per litre was what they were paying for petrol before the fuel price increase.

'We have been applying to the Government to increase the initial fare charge from RM2 to RM3 since last year. This is due to the rising cost of living and not because of the higher price of fuel.

'The RM1 increase could add to the revenue of a taxi driver who takes 10 passengers a day by RM10,' he said, adding that this is the only way to help taxi drivers earn more.

He said that they would still insist on the increase in the initial fare charge despite the petrol subsidy.

Koperasi Perisai Perkasa Kuala Lumpur Bhd chairman Rosli Abdullah also agreed with Aslah about the RM3 proposed initial fare charge.

'Though the move by the Government is beneficial, it would not make any difference to the majority of city taxi drivers. The subsidy would only help taxi drivers outside the city centre.

'This is because most taxi drivers in

the city use NGV unlike outside the city where more taxis run on petrol. Therefore, the only way to help them is by increasing the fare.'

Rosli also urged the Government to extend the subsidy to diesel-powered taxis.

Former taxi company operator Asirvatham Jebamoney suggested that instead of subsidising fuel, the Government should come up with other forms of assistance to ease the burden of taxi drivers. He recommends a government subsidy on vehicles bought for commercial use instead.