SIBU: Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (Sadia) has called upon the state government to look into subsidising rural public transport, particularly for buses plying the Sibu-Song-Kapit route.
Sadia permanent chairman Munan Laja deemed the RM16 one-way fare from Sibu to Song, and RM22 one-way fare from Sibu to Kapit, as ‘rather expensive’ especially for those from the low-income group.
“This is especially so if they have to commute back and forth. Some of those from the interior of Kapit would have to come down to Sibu by longboats or on a chartered vehicle before taking the bus for their return trip,” he said.
Citing the bus services in some of the towns or cities in Sarawak offering a free or a minimal RM1 ride, Munan said it would be good if such initiative could also be implemented in the rural areas.
“Since most of the public transport users from Kapit Division are those from the B40 group, I hope the authorities could consider giving them public transport subsidy,” he added.
The Borneo Post
