SUNGAI PETANI: Passengers of the Langkawi ferry services were greeted by an unpleasant New Year's Day surprise when they were charged an extra RM3 beginning today.
The passengers, who are either travelling to the tourism destination or returning to the mainland via the Kuala Kedah and Kuala Perlis jetties, had a shock when they found that the ferry fare had been increased by RM3 per passenger.
Confused by the sudden surcharge, Langkawi ferry passengers deluged social media with pictures of the tickets with the new prices, seeking clarification.
The normal fare for a one-way ferry from Kuala Kedah to Langkawi and vice versa is RM23 for adults and RM17 for children.
As for the Kuala Perlis to Langkawi and vice versa trip, the fare is RM18 for adults and RM13 for children.
Non-Langkawi passengers who purchased the ticket over the counter in Langkawi or the jetties in Kedah and mainland Perlis claimed that they were charged an extra RM3 for each ticket.
One of the passengers, Mesuary Mazlann uploaded a picture of a Langkawi-Kuala Kedah ferry ticket which showed that the fare is RM26 instead of the previous fare of RM23.
The status was shared in a Langkawi Facebook page which has garnered over 700 comments and over 70 shares since it was posted about 10am today.
Meanwhile in an immediate response, Kedah Transportation Committee chairman Datuk Tajul Urus Mat Zain said the state government was not informed of the hike.
Tajul, who contacted the Marine Department for clarification, said he was informed that the RM3 is an additional charge imposed only on passengers who buy ferry ticket over the counter. The fare remains the same for online purchases.
"The department said it is part of an initiative to encourage passengers to purchase tickets online following a recent investment to upgrade the electronic ticketing system.
"I was also informed that Langkawi residents are exempted from the RM3 additional charge if they buy the ticket over the counter," he told reporters after visiting SJKC Sin Kuo Min in Bedong for the new school term, which begins in Kedah today.
Tajul nevertheless said he will get to the bottom of the matter as the state government was not briefed on the fare increase.
"It is a shock to us (the state government) as well. We will seek an explanation from the Marine Department by today," he said.
Tajul stressed that it was improper for the department to impose the hike without informing the state government and the public beforehand.
He said it would be wiser for the department to create an awareness campaign among the public to encourage them to purchase the Langkawi ferry ticket via online before imposing the hike for over the counter purchases.