Labuan International Ferry Terminal is set to implement a long-awaited adjustment in terminal fees, commencing Nov 1 this year.
The revised rates will witness a slight increase of RM3 for domestic routes connecting Labuan to mainland Sabah, Menumbok, and Sipitang, as well as Lawas and Limbang in Sarawak.
Additionally, fees for routes to Brunei will see a RM5 increase, and this adjustment will subsequently lead to an increase in boat ticket fares for these destinations.
The decision to raise the terminal fees comes after 17 years of unchanged rates since its introduction.
Chief executive officer Noor Halim Zaini of LDA Holdings Sdn Bhd, the company managing the terminal, said this increment is aimed at enabling the company to cope with the rising operational costs.
Citing a drastic 50 per cent decline in travellers to mainland Sabah, Sarawak, and Brunei during the COVID-19 pandemic, which badly hit the financial situation of the company, Noor Halim said the ongoing recovery period has also placed financial strain on the company, making it difficult to cover operational expenses.
“The incremental adjustment in terminal fees is aimed at mitigating these challenges, enabling the company to sustain its services and offer an enhanced experience to travellers.
“We acknowledge the economic hardships faced by travellers, but this increase is essential to ensure the continuity of our services and to facilitate improvements for our passengers,” he said.
For more information and updates on the revised terminal fees and ferry ticket fares, passengers are encouraged to visit the official website of Labuan International Ferry Terminal or contact the terminal management office hotline directly at 016- 8772117.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency