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Langkawi Ferries May Get Cheaper Diesel
Lower diesel prices are being considered to offset rising costs faced by ferry operators servicing the Langkawi route.
The State Government has submitted a proposal to the Federal Government that the operators buy subsidised diesel at the price of 82 sen per litre instead of the current RM1.56 per litre.
They are currently classified as industrial users and cannot enjoy the lower price.
State Tourism Committee chairman Nawawi Ahmad said operators need not go ahead with plans to raise fares if they could enjoy lower diesel prices.
"With lower fuel costs, they will no longer need to raise fares to offset overheads," he said.
Nawawi was commenting on the progress of discussions between State authorities and the Transport Ministry over the operators' request last June for a RM3 fare hike.
The fares to Langkawi are RM15 for adults and RM9 for children for a one-way trip from Kuala Kedah, and RM12 and RM7 for adults and children respectively from Kuala Perlis.
Nawawi was confident the State's proposal would be given favourable consideration, following the success of the Sarawak and Sabah Governments in getting riverine boat services re-categorised as public transportation.
"Boat operators in the two States had also cited increasing fuel costs in their request for a fare hike.
"However, the fares have remained unchanged after they were allowed to enjoy the subsidised fuel rates as enjoyed by other commercial vehicle operators," he said.
He said if approved, ferry operators could save up to RM10 million in cumulative monthly operating costs.
"If they can enjoy substantial savings, I am sure they will drop their request for a fare hike," he said.
Meanwhile, United Ferry Venture Sdn Bhd operations manager Wong Sie Kiong welcomed the State Government's proposal and hoped the matter could be resolved soon.
"This is definitely good news. We hope to share the same benefits as our counterparts in Sabah and Sarawak," said Wong, whose company is the largest of the four ferry operators with a combined fleet of 40 ferries.
Alor Star 19/01/2005
