JOHOR BARU: With Hari Raya Aidilfitri drawing near, ferry operators here are gearing up for a surge in passengers, especially Indonesians returning home to celebrate the occasion.
Dolphin Fast Ferry general manager Mohd Shauki Hassan said they have prepared nine ferries for trips to Batam from the Berjaya Waterfront ferry terminal at Stulang Laut here for balik kampung.
“We expect Indonesians to go back to their hometowns to celebrate the festivities starting from March 28 until March 30.
“We will provide 34 trips per day from the ferry terminal here to three popular destinations in Batam, which is Gold Coast, Harbour Bay and Batam Central, during those dates,” he said yesterday.
Mohd Shauki said the fare for a one-way ticket to Batam is RM123 while it is RM183 for a return ticket.
“Even though there is an online ticketing service, we are expecting more walk-in passengers at our counter.
“Maritime travel between Johor and Batam is always popular among Malaysians and Indonesians.
“Last year, the ferry terminal recorded more than 400,000 travellers, which shows that ferry services between the two countries are always in demand,” he added.
Mohd Shauki said their earliest ferry would depart as early as 7.30am while the last trip is at 6pm.
“If there is demand for more trips, we will add it into our schedule,” he added.
Meanwhile, Pasir Gudang Passenger Terminal Sdn Bhd general manager Mohd Tuah Mohd Amin said the last five days of Ramadan were always a busy time with Indonesians going back to their home country.
“Despite there being other options including direct flights from Kuala Lumpur and Johor Baru to Indonesia, many Indonesians still prefer to use ferry services.
“Maybe the travel time between Johor and Batam is not that long compared to air travel because it only takes one-and-a-half hours from Pasir Gudang to reach there,” he added.
For those travelling between Johor and Batam for Hari Raya Aidilfitri, they have prepared seven ferries and would add more depending on the demand.
Mohd Tuah said this year marks the first time they will be having trips on the first day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
“People have to know that not only Indonesians like using ferries. Malaysians do it as well.
“Batam has become a popular tourist destination among Malaysians as it is near and much more affordable compared to vacationing in Singapore or elsewhere,” he said.
