KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 3, 2015:

Klang Valley inter and inner city commuters came in for a surprise yesterday when fares increased for train services, while air travellers continue to lament over next month’s impending fare increase on the high-speed express rail from here to the airport.

Checks revealed all fares for the Ampang, Kelana Jaya and Monorail lines saw an increase beginning yesterday.

Even the KTM Komuter service also saw a fare increase.

“My journey from the Kelana Jaya terminal to KLCC saw an increase which took me by surprise,” rail traveller Matther Jude alerted the The Rakyat Post.

“Even the fares for the RapidKL bus service saw a hike,” the business consultant who is a frequent traveller on the rail service added.

“I picked up the habit of rail use during my days in Melbourne and it has been effective here.”

Over the past week, commuters were advised about the upgrading of public transport with new routes and bus identification numbers introduced for routes.

On Tuesday, the public transport concessionaire Rapid KL announced a new and revamped bus network for Greater Kuala Lumpur.

This came about following the introduction of the new bus network by the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) which saw the need to reorganise existing bus corridors (routes).

A notification over the revamped bus network showed there were eight corridors affected — Ampang, Sungai Besi, Federal Highway, Jalan Ipoh, Cheras, Jalan Klang Lama, Damansara and Jalan Pahang.

Customers were also encouraged to purchase travel cards if they frequently travelled over the Rapid buses.

While there were varying opinions as to the routes’ number changes, many pleaded ignorant over the rail fare increase.

“Effective Dec 2, 2015, a new fare structure for Prasana rail service takes effect, replacing the current structure, which has been unchanged for two decades,” a notification on the public transport portal (http://www.myrapid.com.my) read.

Last month, Prasarana president and chief executive officer Datuk Azmi Abdul Aziz had announced a new fare structure to correct the inequitable structure which plagued the LRT Kelana Jaya, LRT Ampang and the KL Monorail lines.

The statement further added the introduction of cashless mode of payment was to encourage savings.

Regular commuters were encouraged to purchase travel cards to enjoy discounts, compared to those who purchased tokens.

Senior citizens, people with disabilities, and students would continue to enjoy 50% discounts from the cash rates. (http://www.myrapid.com.my/deals/promotions/new-fare-structure-lrt-monorail-services)