SRB: Ministry studying new fare structure

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Express boats remain the only mode of transport to the upper reaches of Rajang River.

SIBU: Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB) has submitted recommendations for a state-wide new fare structure for passenger boats to the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Communication.

SRB controller William Jinep, who disclosed this yesterday, said it would take time for the ministry to study the recommendations since it involved more than 500 registered passenger boats in Sarawak.

He, however, could not reveal the proposed new fare structure as it was still being studied by the ministry.

Jinep was asked for the latest development on the boat fare structure following a meeting on it here on Feb 11.

The meeting with all the boat operators from Sibu, Kapit, Belaga, Daro and other places was called following the recent drop in fuel prices.

“The operators have stated their reasons, pointing out that although fuel prices had dropped, other costs like workers’ salaries and spare parts did not go down.

“That is their argument and we are now studying the report and we have submitted our recommendations to the ministry.

“We are waiting for the reply from the ministry. But this will take time since it is not just confined to express boats but all passenger boats, including speed boats across the state and not only Sibu.

“Furthermore, other factors contributing to the cost of the boats’ operations would also be looked at besides the fuel factor,” Jinep told The Borneo Post.

He hoped to receive the reply before Gawai Dayak celebration, adding that the board was in communication with the ministry.

The controller further pointed out that studying the recommendations was no walk in the park because the entire boat operations, like passenger load, repair and maintenance, had to be analysed.

“The age of the boat is also being looked at since the older the vessel is, the more fuel it consumes.”

Recently, Land Development Minister and Baleh assemblyman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing hit out at the board for not discussing with express boat operators on reducing fares following the drop in fuel prices.

Masing claimed that he had received many complaints on express boat fare hike, thus urged SRB to communicate with the operators to determine the rationale for the high fare.

Earlier this month, SRB chairman Murni Suhaili warned of legal action against express boat operators if they were adamant in not lowering the fares which they hiked without approval.

An operator here, Ting Chuo Won, had claimed that express boat operators would face a bleak future if they were to reduce their fares.

Despite the drop in fuel prices, he said they were faced with soaring operational cost.