PUTRAJAYA: There will be an extra day for Malaysians to benefit from subsidised one-way flights from Peninsular Malaysia to Labuan, Sabah and Sarawak for Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Likewise, a similar offer is also available for those travelling by train in the peninsula, coupled with increased train frequencies.
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In a press conference here yesterday, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the subsidised flights are applicable for journeys from April 6 to 9, compared to the original proposal that covers the period from April 7 to 9.
Tickets bought for travelling on those four days starting at 5pm yesterday will not cost more than RM599, excluding taxes and fees, with the government bearing the price difference for these flights taken during peak travel periods.
“The maximum price will aid passengers who are forced to purchase flight tickets at the last minute to a high-demand destination during the festive season.
“The extension (by one day) is expected to have a financial implication of RM1.8mil on the government,” he said, adding that the government would also continue other initiatives, including facilitating additional flights.
“For the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration, the ministry through the Malaysian Aviation Commission has facilitated an additional 342 domestic flights across the country between April 3 and 18.
“This strategy has shown positive effects where more flight tickets, especially for routes from Kuala Lumpur to major destinations in Sabah and Sarawak, are sold at lower prices.”
For those using KTM Bhd’s services, there will be increased ETS frequencies and tickets to northern parts of Peninsular Malaysia from April 4 to 15.
Six train services will be added from KL Sentral to Padang Besar and KL Sentral to Butterworth as well as two additional express lane services from KL Sentral to Ipoh.
The additional ETS train services will offer 1,260 tickets daily, adding to the total of 15,120 additional tickets on sale, including express trains.
Meanwhile, Loke advised consumers to report to the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) if express bus operators impose a festive surcharge exceeding 10% compared to normal fares.
“The surcharge is not new, it has been practised for 20 years during every festive season, taking place a week before and after the festive season.
“If we do not allow them to impose the surcharge, then they would not be able to increase their capacity.
“Maybe with the surcharge, they are able to pay the allowances for the drivers. But if they charge more than 10%, then passengers can report to Apad,” he said.
On March 13, Apad announced that express bus fares for the economy service category will increase by 10% from April 4 to 17.
The agency said the Cabinet had approved a festive season surcharge of 0.09sen per km, and the implementation of this surcharge will temporarily hike express bus fares to 10.2sen per km, compared to the regular rate of 9.3sen per km.
