Express boats plying upper Rajang again

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SIBU: The express boat service from Kapit to Baleh, which was suspended since July 26 due to extremely low water level, resumed on Aug 9.

Riverine transport remains the chief mode of transportation to the upper reaches of Rajang River.

People disembarking from an express boat.

A busy scene at an express boat terminal with services restored from Kapit to Baleh.

SRB controller William Jinep, when contacted yesterday, said the boat service was back to normal, to the relief of many rural folk who depended on riverine transport to move around.

“Two boats are operating the Kapit/Baleh route. One can accommodate 90 passengers, and the other can accommodate 96 passengers.”

He added that there are also two boats serving the Kapit/Nanga Gaat route. One has a 90-passenger capacity, while the other can ferry 104 passengers.

“The Kapit/Belaga sector is also operating normally.”

Last month, extremely low water level forced the boat service between Kapit and Baleh to be suspended temporarily.

The water level at many stretches of the river from Kapit to Baleh then was only about a metre, whereas express boats needed at least two metres to operate.

Riverine transport is the chief mode of transportation in the upper reaches of the Rajang River.