A commuter waiting to board the Sarikei-Sibu bus.
BUS commuters in Sarawak now enjoy a flat rate of RM1 for the trunk service sector.
The fare is currently available on the Sibu-Belawai (67km), Sibu-Tanjung Manis (57km), Sibu-Sarikei (39km) and Sibu-Mukah (156km) sectors.
Other routes are Sibu-Kanowit (56km), Sibu-Bintangor (43km), Sarikei-Selalang (38km), Sarikei-Pakan (44km) and Sarikei-Saratok (37km).
At this special rate, commuters – both locals and outsiders – can enjoy substantial savings. This is especially beneficial for the low-income group who need to travel regularly between these places.
Commuters travelling from Sibu to Mukah, which covers a distance of 157km, used to pay RM22 for a one-way fare. But now the same trip only costs RM1.
Ho enjoying his laksa served with prawns and mussels in Sarikei.
By comparison, the fuel cost would be more than RM20 for a car. Taking the bus is also more convenient than driving.
The buses have a seating capacity of between 28 and 38 passengers.
Together with a friend, Michael Ho, I took a bus from Sibu to Sarikei on Sept 5. My mission was to see what the bus service was like on the RM1 fare rate, which was implemented in October last year.
When we arrived at the waterfront bus transit point at 7.30am, the driver greeted us and briefed us on the schedule, which was pasted on the windscreen.
We took the 7.45am trip to Sarikei. The bus was well kept with not a single piece of trash around. There were roughly 15 passengers, including the two of us.
Bus schedules displayed at the Sibu bus transit point.
The 75-minute journey was smooth except for a constant metallic sound.
Sarikei is famous for its tiger prawn noodles in coconut shells. We were unlucky as the two shops selling the noodles were closed. We opted instead for laksa served with prawns and mussels. As durians were plentiful, we bought some at a reasonable price.
Ho later shared his thoughts on the bus service.
“I enjoyed the trip, which was convenient and relaxing. As the trips are scheduled, it is possible to go to Sarikei and return in a day.
“The bus was also in quite good condition. Overall, I am satisfied as it is worth the money at this fare,” he said.
Ho, 57, reckoned that the low fare certainly helped rural people a lot.
“We cannot have such a fare if it is not supported by the government as fuel alone takes up so much expenses,” he added.
Sarawak Bus Transport Company Association adviser Lau Khing Seng said the state government was subsidising the fare to ease the burden of commuters besides helping to promote domestic tourism.
“The state government wants to promote local tourism, so they came up with this special fare.
“As such, we have the subsidy from the state government to charge only RM1 for one way,” he said.
Lau, who has been in the industry for more than 50 years, advised the public to use the bus services to save costs rather than drive.
“We do not know how long this RM1 fare will last as it depends on the public response. But so far it has been good. Most of the time the buses are nearly full,” he said.
