More people likely to use m-cycles if they are not eligible for RON95 petrol subsidy

GEORGE TOWN: More people are expected to switch from cars to motorcycles and public transport once the petrol subsidy rationalisation is implemented.

Architect firm executive Simon Lee, 39, said he would stick to the cost-effective motorcycle for his daily travels once the subsidy removal kicks in.

For now, he still drives to work occasionally, spending about RM250 on petrol for his car, on top of RM25 for his motorcycle.

"I rarely use my car for work because it is hard to find parking in George Town. Traffic jam is another issue.

“But if the petrol subsidy is removed, I’ll just have to stick to my motorcycle for daily commutes, with the car reserved for family outings and outstation trips.

"Why would I want to stress myself with traffic congestion, no parking and higher petrol prices?” he asked.

A news portal reported that it was only a matter of time before the fuel subsidy rationalisation for RON95 petrol was carried out.

However, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim later said the government had yet to make any decision on lifting the RON95 petrol subsidy, which allows a litre of the fuel to be sold at RM2.05 currently.

The withdrawal of subsidy on RON95 petrol has been anticipated after diesel subsidy was removed since June 10 in Peninsular Malaysia, with the price raised to RM3.35 per litre from RM2.15.

Customer relations executive M. Vinod, 35, seldom drives to work because the morning rush hour makes it difficult for him to reach his office in Burmah Road here on time.

Another reason is the lack of parking spots, which will cost him up to RM8 a day for private parking, if he finds one.

"I am now using my motorcycle almost every day.

"If the petrol price increases, then the best thing to do is to ride to work daily.

"I need to be prudent in my spending, and that is RM20 for breakfast, lunch and petrol for my motorcycle," he said.

Civil servant Shahrul Izwan Shamsudin, 40, from Lunas, Kulim, also rides to his office in Pulau Tikus every day.

"I need to be on time and riding a motorcycle is the most convenient. I can save money on petrol and toll.

"If there is a petrol price hike this year, the car will only be for leisure or holidays.

"As a government employee, I do not earn a high salary. Any slight increase will affect my monthly expenses," he said.

M. Santhakumaran, 57, who works as an assistant manager in a company in Permatang Tinggi on Penang mainland, said he would continue using his motorcycle.

"I tried car-pooling, but found it impractical as my colleague often had to stay back to wait for me when I could not finish my work on time.

"It's financially taxing to drive to work once petrol price goes up," he said.

Despite the possible petrol price hike, several motorcycle dealers said was no mad rush for the purchase of motorcycles and they believed that most people were still waiting to see what's coming.

"It's always a case of 'wait and see' and people may rush to buy new motorcycles only after the petrol subsidy rationalisation is implemented.
"We have merely recorded a 15% increase in sales this year," said Benny Goh, 50, a motorcycle dealer in Paya Terubong.

Another motorcycle dealer, Teoh Sim Guat, in Datuk Keramat Road, expects sales, which have been flat in the past six months, to pick up when subsidy rationalisation on petrol is implemented.