PARENTS will have to fork out 30% more for schoolbus fares next year if the Government does not reduce the price of diesel from RM1.43 ($0.59) per litre to RM1, Sin Chew Daily reported.

According to the daily, the current fare was between RM30 (S$12.00) and RM130 ($53.00) per month and once the operators increase the fares, parents will have to pay at least RM9.39 (S$4.00) more.

Federation of Schoolbus Opera- tors Association president Chee Ah Tey said the fare increase was an unavoidable measure by the schoolbus operators.

"Earlier, the federation had planned to increase the fares by 50% more. Besides that, other transportation industries increased their fares in September," he said, adding that the federation would submit documents seeking a fare increase to the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board today.

"We will announce our decision next Friday or Saturday. However, if the Government cannot not meet the request, we will go ahead and increase the fare," he said.

Board chairman Datuk Markiman Kobiran said if the schoolbus operators increased the fares without the approval from them, their licences would be revoked.

He urged operators to wait patiently for the Government's announcement on the diesel price. --The Star / Asia News Network