Langkawi ferry operator cancels planned fare increase for Malaysians after transport ministry steps in

On Sunday, Langkawi Ferry Line Ventures announced a fare hike for ferry services between Langkawi and Kuala Kedah as well as Kuala Perlis, beginning from January 1. This was then retracted later in the day following a response from transport minister Anthony Loke, who expressed disappointment over the decision increase fares, Bernama reports.

As such, there will be no increase in fares for Malaysians using the service. However, the company said the fare hike for foreign tourists will proceed as scheduled from January 1. “Based on advice from the ministry of transport and the Kedah state government, the fare increase for Malaysian citizens scheduled for January 1, 2025, has been cancelled,” the company’s general manager, Baharin Baharom, said via a statement.

the company had earlier announced that fares for ferry services between Langkawi, Kuala Kedah, and Kuala Perlis, would be increased from between RM3 and RM10.50 per trip, depending on passenger category and travel route.

This prompted a response from Loke, who warned ferry operators that they would not be eligible for diesel subsidies if they proceeded with the fare hikes, particularly for local residents and domestic tourists.

Loke stated that the ministry had received in-principle approval from the finance ministry last Friday to provide diesel subsidies to ferry operators serving major islands nationwide, including Langkawi, starting from January 1 next year.

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