Kotabaru's ferry to begin serve Sebuku Island this week

Kotabaru, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - Ferry to serve passengers between Sebuku Island and Pulau Laut Timur in Kotabaru District will begin its operation this month, Transportation Agency official said.

Head of the agency Adi Sutomo said the operation is after the agreement about tariff have been reached between the district government and seaport operator PT ASDAP.

"The two side have agreed about tariff, while the operation according to PT ASDP will be in the first week of October," he remarked here, Monday.

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Residents, who have long been waiting for the operation of the ferry, asked to be patient, while PT ASDP keep preparing it, one of which is ticketing.

"Now is the process of printing the ticket, so people please be patient to wait the process," he said. 

The discussion about tariff had previously been quite difficult, as the Kotabaru regent considered it burdersome. About the amount, he asked it at least the same as his company's ferry tariff.

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Related to this, Adi explained, the tariff of ferry managed by the government must follows the applicable rule. "It will be different with that of the regent's which was provided more to help people," he said. 

Ferry service for Sebuku Island-Pulau Laut Timur has been delayed for year to wait the preparation. 

The Transportation Ministry has actually prepared the ship, KMP Bamega, since 2016, but there was to port, then the operation diverted to serve Kotabaru-Batulicin route.

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Now the construction of piers for Pulau Laut Timur and Sebuku Island have been done and the operation will soon begin