MUKAH: Most passengers are shocked by the new fares after bus companies resumed operations about two weeks ago.
The operations were suspended for about two months following the implementation of the movement control order (MCO) due to Covid-19 pandemic.
“Now the bus fare from Sibu to Mukah has increased from RM20 to RM22,” lamented a senior citizen identified only as Beth last Tuesday.
New Sarawak Tribune discovered there was a hike in bus fares not only involving that particular Sibu bus company, but other companies servicing the Mukah route, too.
A Sibu-based bus company staff said the fare increased from RM20 to RM22 for the Mukah-Sibu route, RM25 to RM 29 for the Mukah-Bintulu route and RM50 to RM57 for the Mukah-Miri route.
She added the new fares were effective ever since bus services were allowed to resume about two weeks ago.
“The increase may be to cover the operating cost because a bus is allowed to carry only 20 passengers in compliance with the standard operating procedures (SOPs),” she explained.
Meanwhile, a Kuching-based bus company staff said the ticket for Mukah-Kuching route had now increased from RM65 to RM82.
For the Mukah-Sibu route, it had gone up from RM20 to RM22 but the ticket for the Mukah-Sarikei route remained at RM30.
Another Kuching-based bus company has also increased its Mukah-Bintulu fare from RM25 to RM29 and its Mukah-Miri fare from RM50 to RM57.
The company staff, however, said, currently if a ticket was purchased here, the fare for the Mukah-Kuching route remained at RM65. If a passenger decides to change the date of departure, then the fare will automatically be RM82, she added.
If the ticket is purchased in Kuching for the Kuching-Mukah route, the price is RM82, she pointed out.
“The difference could be due to a marketing strategy,” she said.
