These buses travel between Sarikei and Sibu.
SARIKEI: Commuters who travel from here to Sibu regularly are really looking forward to the toll waiver on the Lanang Bridge this Sunday.
A farmer, who only wished to be identified as Tiong, said the waiver would be a substantial savings for him as he would no longer pay RM5, the rate for vehicles below five tons, each time he crossed the 1.2km bridge.
He expects to save at least RM300 per month as he makes daily trips to Sibu transporting his farm produce and for other matters.
A hardware shop employee with the surname Ling said he has been driving his own car from Sibu to Sarikei for more than 10 years.
He considers the abolishment of the toll as a bonus from Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem as he does not consider the RM3 per crossing a burden when compared to the inconvenience of using ferry services prior to the bridge’s construction.
“It was normal to wait for about an hour before we could get into the ferry on ordinary days and during festive seasons, the waiting time could be up to three hours or even longer. The abolishment means cheaper convenient trips between my home and workplace,” Ling said.
Borneo Amalgamated Transport general manager Simon Seo said the toll waiver would definitely reduce their operations costs substantially as their regular services between Sarikei and Bintangor to Sibu currently pay RM8 each per crossing.
“At the current frequency of trips between Sarikei and Bintangor to Sibu, our company would save RM100,000 per month after May 25,” he said while thanking Adenan for his concern towards the people.
He said the company would use the savings to improve service quality by upgrading buses, increasing trip frequency and perhaps purchasing new buses.
Sarikei Lorry Owners Association secretary Wong Kee Ping said the waiver of RM15 per crossing would mean a big operations costs savings for members.
He cited the example where a company with five lorries passing the Lanang Bridge would save over RM40,000 per year after the abolishment of the toll.
Wong said the big savings is testimony of Adenan’s great concern for the welfare of the people, but said some in the business community here feared losing business to Sibu.
However, the construction of the road linking Sarikei to Tanjung Manis is expected to encourage villagers from Kampung Rejang, Kampung Jerijih, Belawai and Tanjung Manis to shop here.