377 take MRT and LRT for a ‘ride’ by abusing cards

PETALING JAYA: In just over a month, nearly 400 Klang Valley commuters were caught redhanded cheating on their fares on the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Monorail networks, checks have found.

A random inspection carried out from Nov 15 to Dec 20 by public transport operator Rapid KL caught 377 passengers using MyRapid concession cards belonging to their relatives, in order to enjoy a 50% discount on fares.

There are three types of MyRapid concession cards: for senior citizens (age 60 and above), for the disabled and for students (primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities).

The concession cards, which bear the photograph and name of each holder, entitles them to 50% savings on cash rates on RapidKL buses, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), MRT, LRT and Monorail fares.

“Those nabbed were taking advantage of the 50% discount accorded to the card holders, who are their relatives.

“Random checks were made. We will continue to carry them out,” said an official from the transport operator, who declined to provide the sum of losses incurred from this abuse.

The cash fare for an MRT trip from the Sungai Buloh station to Kampung Selamat, which is the next station along the line, is RM1.20.

A concession card holder only needs to pay RM0.60.

The cash fare from one end of the 51km MRT SBK line at Sungai Buloh to the other in Kajang is RM6.40, with MyRapid card holders charged RM3.20.

The official said the abusers used MyRapid concession cards belonging to their children, parents, grandchildren, spouses or siblings.

Of the 377 commuters nabbed, 246 or 65.3% used concession cards belonging to students, 112 (29.7%) used the cards of senior citizens, and 19 (5%) used cards belonging to disabled persons.

The official said in such cases, the cards are confiscated, while the holder is blacklisted and will no longer be allowed to apply for concession cards.

The official said anyone with information on concession card abuse may contact Rapid KL at 03-7885 2585.