Batulicin, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - Inter-island ferries owned by PT Angkutan Sungai Danau dan Penyeberangan (ASDP) serving Batulicin (Tanah Bumbu) to Tanjung Serdang till Pulau Sembilan in Kotabaru, South Kalimantan almost empty of passengers.
"This condition has occurred for several months, even one ship has only five passengers," said General Manager of ASDP Batulicin Branch Sugeng Purwanto through Business Manager Arif Budiman here on Thrsday (March 5, 2020).
As a result, the state-owned ferry operator's revenue has decreased to an average of Rp1,5 million per trip or each ship. It did not the target set by the management.
For the reason of the deserted passengers, now the PT ASDP is only operating three vessels. While three other vessels serve Batulicin belong to PT Dharma Lautan Utama and Jembatan Nusantara.
Meanwhile, ASDP to meet its revenue target is cooperating with several private companies, such as agricultural equipment companies to open exhibition stands at Batulicin Port.
"The booth is intentionally opened to attract buyers from ship passengers who are going to or coming from Tanjung Serdang," he said.
Both the agricultural equipment companies and ASDP get benefit. The agricultural products are increasingly known to wider community and ASDP gets rent.
Although passengers are relatively deserted, ASDP is still committed to serving passengers for up to 24 hours.
