View: I'm surprised to see this discrepancy. Either the estimate of total fare revenue is too high, or Rapid Penang really has serious issues on collecting fare from passengers.
Source: TheStar.com.my
GEORGE TOWN: Discrepancies in fare collection, unsatisfactory depots and hubs and delayed infrastructure projects are among the weaknesses suffered by integrated bus service Rapid Penang.
A total of RM1.14mil in fare discrepancies were recorded from Rapid Penang's establishment in February 2007 to 2010, the Auditor-General's Report 2010 revealed.
The report listed several weaknesses the company suffered, which included unsatisfactory depots and bus hubs, not well-managed cleaning contracts for buses and Rapid Penang premises, delayed infrastructure projects and not fully utilised hostels.
It also reported the bus company had incurred loses before tax for both 2008 (RM7.67mil) and 2009 (RM10.68mil). No figure was quoted for 2010.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
RapidKL expects additional 150 buses to increase efficiency
The Star: 18th September 2011
Datuk Hazlan Mohamed Hussain at the launch Monday. - Bernama pic
RapidKL is a subsidiary of government-owned, Syarikat Prasarana Negara Berhad (Prasarana).
Group director of bus division Datuk Hazlan Mohamed Hussain said the addition of the new buses, would increase the frequency on routes, thus reducing waiting time for passengers.
"The new buses will be of much help, especially in areas where the waiting time can be reduced," he told reporters after a ceremony hand over the buses by MAN Truck & Buses (M) Sdn Bhd (MTBM), here today.
Hazlan said with improved efficiency, the company hopes to attract more customers to use its services and this would raise revenue accordingly.
Meanwhile, the new buses, manufactured by MTBM, incorporate features for the disabled, including wheelchair ramps and a yellow coloured interior, for those who has vision problems. - BERNAMA
Monday, June 27, 2011
A private Malaysia Airlines?
VIEW: There are many legacy issues and over-protectionism causing the current state of affairs at MAS. What happened to the work done by Idris Jala?
Maybank IB: The company can reshape for a re-listing later
PETALING JAYA: Privatise Malaysia Airlines (MAS) but list Firefly, MAS Engineering, MasKargo and even its terminal services, suggested Maybank IB in a recent research report.
The research house in its report yesterday said the privatisation of MAS was not an outlandish idea and the shareholders may just warm up to the idea. More so since the analyst community had an overwhelming “sell” call on the carrier after the airline reported RM242mil in net loss for the first quarter ended March 31, 2011.
“MAS' poor performance stemmed from its lowest yields and highest cost position against its peers. Most of the root causes were legacy in nature, having inherited the oldest fleet and the ill effect of substantially under-invested in the business in the past.
“(However), there are merits to a privatisation, it provides a shelter away from further downside volatility in the share price, while the company reshapes itself up for a re-listing in the future years,'' the report said.
In the past many companies have been taken private for some years and later re-appear on the local house and this is the suggestion of Maybank IB. Among those companies that have been taken private for various reasons include PLUS Expressways Bhd, United Engineers Bhd, Mox Bhd, Astro, Palmco Bhd, Bumi Armada Bhd and Maxis Bhd. Thus far, Maxis has been re-listed and Bumi Armada is making its way back on the local bourse. Even the shareholders of AirAsia was once upon a time thinking of taking the carrier private.
But some analysts do not share Maybank IB's sentiments.
“MAS had gone through a lot of transformation programmes and going private means it is admitting defeat. That is not the kind of signals it should be sending to the market. With all these GLC open day and all the work that Tengku Datuk Azmil Zahruddin is doing to reshape MAS, we should allow it to remain listed.
“Today may be tough times for the carrier, but given time and the right strategy and its recent entry into oneworld global air alliance and the fact that it is buying new aircraft, MAS should be doing better next year onwards,'' an analyst from a foreign-based research house said.
However, she said, if “you look at it from the shareholder perspective and since the share price has tanked backed to the 1990s level, it is absolutely value destruction given all the equity calls. On paper the privatisation looks good but I still do not think it is the best way for MAS.''
An aviation analyst from Singapore who requested anonymity felt that “it (MAS) is not run like a government-controlled company and if the Government wants to sell the remaining stake, it is the Government's decision. Even if the Government feels it should sell, it may need to wait for market conditions to be right for such a sale.''
Maybank IB in its reports felt that the shareholders of MAS might warm up to the idea of a privatisation.
It said the principle shareholders of MAS were Khazanah Nasional Bhd (69%) and Employees Provident Fund (EPF) (11%) and both had acquired MAS at a substantially higher price.
Since MAS' stock performance has been disappointing and considering potential headwinds ahead, its parent Khazanah may consider privatising MAS as the stock is trading at its lowest historical price and valued at only 1.4x book. At the current share price, Khazanah needs to pay less than RM1.5bil for the remaining shares it does not own. If it teams up with EPF, like their partnership for the privatisation of PLUS, it will cost just RM962mil.
Maybank IB also agreed that MAS management was doing a lot of work to reshape the carrier. From the fleet perspective, it was making the “right approach to rejuvenate its fleet; it currently has the oldest fleet age in the region and more crucially it has many obsolete aircraft (B737-400, first generation A330). We expect the fleet age to fall rapidly in 2012-13 as MAS inducts 15-17 new aircraft. This will greatly enhance operational efficiency and reduce cost substantially.''
The report said a successful airline was all about having an efficient cost structure that could withstand the ups and downs of the aviation cycle.
“We also believe when MAS has a young and trendy fleet, it is no longer handicapped against its peers and instances where MAS lags the peer group will be an issue of the past,'' the report said.
Maybank IB said re-listing could extract more value and assuming that MAS was a privately-owned company seeking a re-listing, it could extract better valuation by fixing its operations to be sustainably profitable and “we think this can be achieved by 2012; wait for the next aviation up-cycle; and float pieces of the group as stand-alone companies.”
“For example, MAS can public list Firefly first as there is a strong appetite for low-cost carriers. This can be repeated for MAS Engineering, MasKargo and its terminal services,'' the report said.
The benefits of breaking up MAS were there and that was also something Singapore Airlines had done years ago for SIA Engineering, Tiger Airways and SATS.
MAS' share price rose eight sen to close at RM1.53 on Friday.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Volcanic ash spreads more travel misery across Europe
View: I'm supposed to be flying on the coming Wednesday...hope the weather situation will improve in the next 24 hours!
Millions of stranded travellers face further air chaos as the volcanic ash from Iceland that has closed most of Europe's airspace continues to spread.
An estimated three-quarters of flights were cancelled on Saturday. About 20 countries closed their airspace - some have extended flight bans into Monday.
Scientists say the Icelandic volcano activity shows no sign of abating.
Dutch airline KLM and German airline Lufthansa have carried out test flights to see if it is safe for planes to fly.
Britain has extended a ban on most flights in its airspace until at least 1800 GMT Sunday, air authorities have said.
KLM said its plane, a Boeing 737, had reached its maximum operating altitude of about 13km in the skies over the Netherlands, and there had been no problems during the flight.
The aircraft and its engines were being inspected for possible damage. After the results of that technical inspection the airline hopes to get permission from the aviation authorities to start up operations again.
Germany's Lufthansa said it flew several planes to Frankfurt from Munich.
A spokesman said: "All airplanes have been inspected on arrival in Frankfurt but there was no damage to the cockpit windows or fuselage and no impact on the engines."
Earlier, a spokesman for the international airline industry said: "We don't see the light at the end of the tunnel yet."
Icelandic geologist Magnus Tumi Gudmundsson told the Associated Press news agency: "It's the magma mixing with the water that creates the explosivity. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be an end in sight."
Graeme Leitch, a meteorologist at Britain's National Weather Service, said light winds and high pressure over Europe meant the cloud was unlikely to be dispersed soon.
"We don't expect a great deal of change over the next few days," he told AP.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) predicted little or no improvement on Sunday.
"Right now through most of Europe we do not see many flights moving at all," spokesman Steve Lott told AFP news agency.
Airlines are losing some £130m ($200m) a day in an unprecedented shutdown of commercial air travel, the IATA says.
Eurocontrol, which co-ordinates air traffic control in 38 nations, said it expected 17,000 flights to be cancelled across Europe on Saturday, from a total of 22,000 on a normal day.
Long way home
Since Thursday, countries across northern and central Europe have either closed airspace or shut key airports as the ash - a mixture of glass, sand and rock particles - can seriously damage aircraft engines.
In the UK commercial flights have now been banned until at least 0700 local time (0600 GMT) on Sunday.
In northern France and northern Italy, airports are to remain shut until at least Monday.
Unable to catch flights, commuters across northern Europe have sought other means of transport, packing out trains, buses and ferries.
The Eurostar cross-channel rail service said it had never seen so many passengers on one day and the trains were fully booked until Monday.
 |  I've only got enough medication for my epilepsy to last me until tomorrow, so my seizures are likely to start again unless I get access to that  George Craib, Amsterdam |
The large no-fly zone also means that some world leaders will not be attending the funeral of the Polish president on Sunday.
US President Barack Obama has cancelled his visit to Poland.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who was due to return from a visit to the US on Friday, had to fly to Lisbon where she spent the night.
With all German airports still closed, she flew on to Italy on Saturday and is set to continue her journey home by bus.
The disruption also forced the cancellation of the inaugural Iraqi Airways flight from Baghdad to London.
|   |
US pop star Whitney Houston was forced to take a car ferry from Britain to Ireland for a concert after her flight was cancelled.
The travel chaos has been felt as far away as North America and Asia, with dozens of Europe-bound flights being cancelled.
British health officials said any effects of the ash on people with existing respiratory conditions were "likely to be short term".
Southern Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano began erupting for the second time in a month on Wednesday, sending a plume of ash 8.5km (5.3 miles) high into the air.
Iceland lies on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the highly volatile boundary between the Eurasian and North American continental plates.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
American raises checked-bag fees
View: This is ridiculous! $60 for bags one way? FYI for $20 or more, you can get a one-way ticket on Southwest Airlines. I really hope the this attempt will backfire and drive all passengers to other airlines.
January 19, 2010 1:40 p.m. EST
American Airlines matched competitors' baggage fee hikes.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- American Airlines last of five legacy carriers to raise baggage fees
- Passengers to pay $25 for first checked bag and $35 for second
- Changes effective for tickets purchased on or after February 1
RELATED TOPICS
(CNN) -- American Airlines has joined its competitors in raising checked luggage fees.
The airline announced Monday it would charge $25 for the first checked bag and $35 for the second. American is the last major legacy carrier to join in a wave of baggage fee increases that Delta Air Lines initiated earlier this month.
The changes are effective for tickets purchased on or after February 1 for travel within the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Delta, United and Continental airlines, and US Airways all are charging $25 for the first bag and $35 for the second bag checked in at the airport. Passengers who check in online on those four airlines will pay $23 for the first bag and $32 for the second. American does not offer online check-in.
About 25 percent of American's domestic passengers pay checked bag fees, according to the airline's announcement.
Some passengers -- such as first-class fliers, some frequent fliers and military personnel on deployment -- are exempt from most checked-luggage fees.
Most major air carriers started adding checked-bag fees in 2008. The airlines reported collecting nearly $740 million in baggage fees in the third quarter of 2009, according to U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
On discount carrier Southwest Airlines, the first and second checked bags are free. JetBlue offers a free first checked bag and charges $30 for the second.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Airlines organizing Haiti earthquake aid
January 14, 2010 10:49 a.m. EST
Three American Eagle aircraft flew supplies to Haiti on Wednesday after the devastating earthquake.
(CNN) -- Airlines, uncertain about when commercial service to disaster-ravaged Haiti will resume, are organizing relief flights and offering incentives to customers who donate to aid organizations.
AMR Corp., the parent company of American Airlines and American Eagle, sent three American Eagle aircraft into Haiti on Wednesday carrying 30,000 pounds of relief supplies, including food, water and other nonperishable goods, for airline employees and local hospitals and aid efforts, said American spokesman Tim Smith.
The airline plans to send three more relief flights each day on Thursday and Friday.
Twitter reports that the airline is flying aid workers to Haiti are false, Smith said Thursday.
"Last night's hoax on Twitter about American and JetBlue flying doctors and nurses to Haiti for free was just that -- a hoax. We do not know who is responsible. We cannot fly any passengers to Haiti at this time," he said.
The airline is offering its frequent-flier program members mileage incentives for contributing to the Red Cross. Starting Thursday, members can earn a one-time bonus of 250 miles for a minimum donation of $50 or 500 miles for a donation of $100 or more through February 28, according to American's Web site.
"We invite our customers to join us in supporting the American Red Cross, and it is with our deepest appreciation that we acknowledge their generosity with this opportunity to earn AAdvantage miles," said Peter J. Dolara, an American senior vice president, in a statement.
American has suspended service to Haiti. Passengers with plans to travel there this month may change them without fee or penalty through February 14.
U.S. Embassy staff at the Port-au-Prince airport said the tower and the lights were working, U.S. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said Wednesday.
Spirit Airlines, which operates one flight a day between Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Port-au-Prince also canceled Wednesday and Thursday flights.
Customers with reservations for travel to, from or through Haiti between Wednesday and Sunday may rebook their travel without penalty, provided the new departure is on or before February 7, according to Spirit's Web site. The airline will waive the change fee for travelers who move their travel beyond February 7, but it will charge for any difference in fare.
The airline plans to resume flights as soon as commercial service reopens at the Port-au-Prince airport.
The airline will give 5,000 free Spirit miles to the first 200,000 members of its frequent-flier program who donate at least $5 to UNICEF, the Red Cross or Yéle Haiti. Members must register online to participate.
Delta Air Lines has canceled its one daily flight between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and Port-au-Prince through Saturday, said spokesman Anthony Black in an e-mail.
"We also have no current plans to operate charter service as we have not received an 'official' request from the government or our partner relief organizations," he said.
JetBlue Airways does not fly into Haiti, but the airline is waiving change fees and fare differences for passengers who were scheduled to fly into neighboring Dominican Republic between Wednesday and Sunday. Passengers may rebook flights between the same cities to depart anytime through next Wednesday, according to the airline's Web site.
JetBlue's operations in the Dominican Republic have not been disrupted, but the airline advises passengers traveling from cities in the Dominican Republic to allow extra time getting to the airport due to possible road closures as a result of the earthquake, its Web site said.
Monday, December 21, 2009
'Three-Hour Rule' To Address Tarmac Delays
Lou Martins/AP
Mario Tama/Getty ImagesAirplanes line up as they await their turn to take off at Newark International Airport in New Jersey, February, 2008.
The U.S. Transportation Department announced new limits Monday on how long airline passengers will be forced to sit in planes stuck on airport tarmacs. Starting in the spring, planes must return to the terminal if the delay exceeds three hours.
The move follows years of complaints from passenger advocates about situations where people are held on grounded planes for hours on end — sometimes without food or a functioning lavatory.
For instance, when a Continental Express flight was stranded in Rochester, Minn., this summer, passengers complained that they went eight hours with no food except pretzels. On other jets that have been forced to sit on the tarmac, the toilets have stopped working, the air has gotten hot and stale, and parents of babies have run out of clean diapers.
Long tarmac delays happen 100 times a month or so. When they do, the conditions onboard planes can become pretty unbearable.
Passengers deserve better treatment, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said Monday.
"You talk to anybody that's flown frequently, they will tell you that they've sat on a tarmac with no explanation about why they're sitting there, no explanation as to why there's not at least something to drink or eat, and people are sick of it," LaHood said, announcing the so-called "three-hour rule."
On domestic flights, airlines will be required to allow passengers off the plane if they've been sitting for more than three hours. Flight crews also will be required to keep the lavatories working, provide medical attention to anyone who needs it, and — once the delay hits the two-hour mark — supply adequate food and water.
Airlines that don't comply will face fines of more than $27,000 for each inconvenienced passenger, LaHood said.
"These kinds of issues and these kinds of problems should have been addressed by the airlines," he said. "The fact that they haven't been means that we at DOT have to step up and look after the passengers."
The regulation has been a long time in the making. Congress has been discussing the issue of tarmac delays for a decade; the Bush administration set up a panel to study it almost two years ago. But Monday's announcement was a surprise even to those who have been calling for action.
Fliers rights advocate Kate Hanni has been promoting the three-hour rule since 2006, since she was stuck on a tarmac for nine hours in Texas. She says she has heard from thousands of people who have been in similar situations.
"There were people with insulin reactions, people who had claustrophobia, people who could not handle being confined in that tight space without temperature control," Hanni recalled. "This is a victory for airline passengers."
The airline industry is questioning whether the rule will have unintended effects that could make things worse for passengers. At the Air Transport Association, the industry's trade group, president Jim May predicted that the rule will force airlines to cancel more flights entirely, to avoid the risk that the plane will exceed the three-hour rule.
Citing the difficulty of rebooking passengers in what he called "today's incredibly congested environment," May said the three-hour rule could end up delaying customers even more.
"The flights that got canceled out of Washington, D.C., this weekend after the terrible snows are a good example of that," May said. "A lot of those people won't reach their destinations for two, three, four days."
May said industry surveys suggest that most passengers actually would prefer to withstand a long tarmac delay, if the other option is having their flight canceled. Still, he says airlines intend to comply with the new rule.
That means even no-frills airlines very likely will have to carry some snacks onboard in case they need them during a delay. And he says airlines will work with airports to find safe ways to deplane passengers, even if all of the gates are occupied.
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