Fares for extra Sibu-Kapit express boat trips still RM25
KUCHING: Fares for extra express boat trips for the SibuKapit sector during the Gawai celebration will remain at RM25.
This is because the state government has agreed to subsidise RM10 of the RM35 fare requested by the express boat operators plying the Sibu-Kapit route.
According to Sarawak Rivers Board controller Richard Tajan, express boat operators had earlier requested to increase the fares from RM25 to RM35 for the extra trips.
“However, the state government on May 24 agreed to subsidise the difference in the fare, which is RM10, for passengers using the extra trips in conjunction with the upcoming Gawai celebration, from May 25 to May 31.
“This means that the passengers, especially the rural folk going home for the Gawai celebration, will only need to pay the normal fare of RM25 each for the extra trip,” he said yesterday.
He said the rational behind the subsidised fares was to lessen the burden of passengers during the celebration.
“It will also overcome the manipulation of the fare by express boat operators, improve the security aspects at the terminals, and prevent overloading of express boats.”
With the subsidy, the state government was hoping that it would bring more cheers to the people celebrating the Gawai.