KOTA KINABALU: Express bus fares for the Hari Raya Balik Kampung are expected to increase by five per cent compared to the previous year, according to the Sabah Express Bus Operators Council.
Its president, Datuk Donald Hanapi, said the increase was not only in Sabah but for the whole country, following the high demand for buses and also due to a request from the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB) for all express buses to be in tip-top condition.
“Express buses in the peninsula have increased their fares by 10 per cent, but we did not follow them. So an increase of five per cent is just enough to cover extra expenses for the upcoming Hari Raya.
“Since we need to cater to the need of more buses from the city centre to the other districts, we need to cover the expenses of empty buses from various destinations to the city centre.
“The increase also includes our expenses for repairs and maintanence for our buses because we need to ensure that our buses are safe for passengers,” he said.
However, the fare increase is just for a certain period, which is a week before and after the Hari Raya celebration (15th July to 10th August 2014).
Last year, the bus fare from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau during Hari Raya was RM72, to Sandakan RM42, Lahad Datu RM52, Semporna RM73, Kunak RM60, Keningau RM18 and Tenom RM22.
This year, the increase will be around RM2 to RM3.
“New fares from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau are RM75, Sandakan RM45, Lahad Datu RM55, Semporna RM75, Kunak RM65, Keningau RM20 and Tenom RM25.
“We will start selling tickets with the new fare for the annual Hari Raya Balik Kampung on July 15 unless CVLB is against it,” he said, adding that he was confident the CVLB would accept the new fare, because it is still low compared to the 10 per cent increase in Peninsular Malaysia.
“We hope our passengers will understand our situation. We are not simply asking for a fare hike but our needs have also increased,” he said, adding that CVLB had been informed about the increase through an official letter from the council.
Normal fare from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau is RM60, Sandakan RM43, Lahad Datu RM50, Semporna RM60, Kunak RM50, Keningau RM18 and Tenom RM22.
He assured the public that there would be enough buses to the east coast of Sabah, to the northern parts of the State as well as to Sipitang and Sarawak.
However, he advised passengers planning to go back to their hometown by bus to buy their tickets earlier.