LABUAN: Ferry operator Labuan Mainland Link Sdn Bhd will increase the ticket prices for its three vessels plying the Labuan-Menumbok-Labuan route from Jan 1.
Its chairman Datuk Chin Hong Vui said the fare hike of 42.5% for private and commercial vehicles and 73.3% for motorcycles would be the first price revision for the roll on-roll off (ro-ro) ferries in 15 years.
The fare hike was supposed to have been implemented in November but was postponed after then prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob asked the Transport Ministry to look into the matter following a public outcry.
Chin said the fare hike, which will not affect commercial goods vehicles, was made after taking into consideration the rise in operational costs.
Labuan Mainland Link operates three ferries, namely MV Kimanis 1, MV Putrajaya 1 and MV Goodwill Star, providing five to eight trips daily.
"The upward revision is made after 15 years and after considering the rising operating and maintenance costs including fuel prices and minimum wage.
"We have been operating for over a decade without government subsidy despite making several applications,” Chin said on Wednesday (Dec 28).
The new fare for sedan vehicles will be RM57 for a one-way trip (up from RM40 before), and RM67 (from RM50 previously) for MPVs, SUVs, single/double cabins, and all types of four wheel-drive (4WD) vehicles and vans.
The fare for motorcycles below 250cc will be RM26 (RM11 previously) while those 250cc and above will have to pay RM41 (revised from RM30).
In addition to its domestic route, the MV Joy Star plies an international route between Labuan and Muara, Brunei.
Chin said the company had invested tens of millions of ringgit to acquire four ferries to provide a safe, comfortable and efficient service to commuters, and the revision was made after more than six months of planning.
"We will not increase the fare for commercial vehicles such as lorries and trailers as it will cause prices of consumer goods in Labuan to rise,” he said.
He said the RM300 increase in workers’ minimum wage to RM1,500 per month had contributed to an increase in each grade or salary scale of the entire company, accounting for a 25% surge in its operating costs.
Another ro-ro ferry operator, Juta Bonus Development Sdn Bhd, has decided not to increase the ticket prices for its two ferries, MV Galaxy and Blue Ocean, plying the Labuan-Menumbok-Labuan route. – Bernama
