Langkawi ferry fare hike put off

New Straits Times, 11 December 2007

LANGKAWI: Ferry passengers heaved a sigh of relief when Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid announced that the planned fare increase would be put on hold. Mahdzir said the state government and the Transport Ministry had agreed to delay the implementation of new charges.

"We have agreed that the ferry charges will remain for the time being."

Mahdzir made the announcement after meeting with the Langkawi Umno division to discuss preparations for the next general election.

He did not give the reason for the postponement, or when the new ticket prices would be implemented.

The current one-way fares are RM18 (adults) and RM12 (children) for ferries departing from Kuala Kedah.
The fare from Kuala Perlis is RM15 each way, while children are charged RM10 each.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy was expected to announce new fares for Langkawi-bound ferries last Wednesday to take effect on Thursday. The fares were said to be going up by RM3 to RM5.

Frequent ferry users, especially those who live and work on the island, were disgruntled over the proposed hike in ticket prices.

A group of passengers recently collected 80,000 signatures in a petition against the proposed fare hike.

Ferry operators insist the increase is necessary to cope with spiralling fuel prices and maintenance costs. But passengers have been complaining of shoddy services.