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Kedah Yes to Higher Langkawi Ferry Fare
The fares for ferry services from Kuala Kedah to Langkawi are expected to go up by RM5 soon.
It is learnt the increase was agreed at a meeting here on Monday between the State Government and the ferry operators.
The present one-way fare is RM18 for adults and RM12 for children.
Sources said the ferry operators, burdened with increasing diesel prices and operating costs, had originally sought a RM10 increase.
This was rejected by the State Government and the two sides eventually agreed to a RM5 increase.
The sources said State Industry, Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Chong Itt Chew would submit the new fares to the Transport Ministry on April 7 for approval.
"Ministry officials are expected to study the proposal and make a decision before April 15," the sources said.
Chong could not be contacted for comment.
Several ferry operators today described the proposed RM5 increase as "fair".
A spokesman for the operators, who declined to be named, said they had asked for a RM3 increase in June when the price of diesel was increased to RM1.15 per litre from 78 sen.
But at the meeting, they asked for RM10 as the price of diesel had escalated to RM1.85 per litre.
"We will be quite happy if the ministry approves the RM5 increase as it will help ease our burden," he said.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Syed Razak Syed Zain said recently that the State Government sympathised with the operators. He agreed that the fares ought to be revised but not too drastically.
While the Kedah Government supports the fare hike, it is not immediately known if the Perlis Government shares the same sentiment.
Ferries to Langkawi also run from Kuala Perlis at RM15 for adults and RM10 for children.
The ferry operators had sought a fare increase from both terminals since June.
Alor Setar 01/04/2005
