A Malaysian woman, energy_baz, took to her Threads account to question whether it is normal for carpool services for school kids to charge RM400 a month after she was quoted that price to have her child sent to school from Mondays to Fridays.
She wrote, “I was shocked for a moment, after seeing the price. Normally, how much is the price range for transportation to take children to school? Just to send (to school) and the distance is less than 10km.”
She clarified that she only requires the service to send her kid to school, making it a one-way journey.
She claims that e-hailing services charge less
She went on to point out that she was initially seeking van or bus services when she stumbled upon the carpool service.
Additionally, energy_baz checked the prices on e-hailing services and found it cheaper!
This image is for illustration purposes only.
“To be specific, the distance is 6.4km for one way only. The school session is in the afternoon and my house is not in a city area because it’s a new development. I was actually looking for a van or bus. Upon checking Grab rates to school (during the same timings), it’s only RM9 to RM10. For a month, it’s RM200,”
“The additional RM200, don’t tell me we’re supposed to cover the maintenance costs for their car. That’s why I was shocked. When I read some of the comments, maybe it’s acceptable for certain areas but still, it’s not logical to be charged RM400 for one-way journeys,” she explained.
Is it or is it not expensive?
While some netizens criticised her for believing the amount is expensive, many assumed that the service involves a private car just for her kid and not a carpool service.
Others, however, defended her.
“This is a private car sending just your child to school, right? I pick up school children near KL and send them back to Batu Caves. The distance to head (to the school) and (bring the children) back is within 16km. I only pick them up from school, I don’t send them to school,”
“The kids’ parents pay me RM600 a month. They are willing to pay high prices because they have no choice. If you don’t want to pay, transport your child yourself.”
“Good job, sister. Don’t ever normalise things that don’t make sense. They’re raising the price as they please. People who are greedy like this, we should just ban them. RM400 for 1 child, if they transport 4 kids, how much are they earning a month?”
“Your job is to just send and pick up kids. Don’t say you’re tired of having to endure traffic jams lah. After you’ve sent them (to school), you can then go home to rest for 6 hours before you have to pick up the kids from school.”
What do you think of the RM400 she was quoted to send her kid to school? Do feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.
Also read: “Is this normal?” – M’sian Dumbfounded After Cheras Eatery Charged Over RM20 for Economy Rice
