Express bus fares to go up 20 pct

SIBU: Sarawak Bus Transport Companies Association (SBTCA) has announced a 20 per cent hike in express bus fares from May 1 this year.SBTCA chairman Lau Khing Seng said the hike was agreed by all members of the SBTCA during a meeting held on March 10.

“The express bus fare increase was made to meet rising costs particularly in bus insurance coverage, spare parts, tyres, batteries and many other bus items,” he pointed out.

He was speaking to reporters during a press conference at the Lanang Road Bus Company office at Pelawan Road yesterday.

“The 20 per cent hike in express bus fare is like, for example, the Kuching-Sibu route express bus fare to cost RM50 per head from March 1 from the present RM40 per head,” he added.

Lau said all SBTCA members had agreed to the suggested express bus fare fixed by SBTCA, and not the one approved by the Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board (LPKP).

“The express bus fare approved by LPKP for Kuching-Sibu route is RM60.10 from RM50,” he explained.

Lau said a few other examples are Kuching-Bintulu route (LPKP approved express bus fare of RM83.70 compared to SBTCA express bus fare of RM80), Kuching-Miri route (LPKP fare RM109.50 compared to SBTCA’s RM100) and Sibu-Bintulu route (LPKP fare RM28.60 compared to SBTCA’s RM27).

He recalled that the last hike in express bus fare was made eight years ago.