Inter-district water tranport almost empty of passengers

Kotabaru, South Kalimantan (ANTARA) - Speedboat water transportation that routes Kotabaru-Tanah Bumbu Districts in South Kalimantan Province is now almost empty of service users.

"We almost have no passengers. I don't now why," said speedboat operator, Ahar, here on Sunday.

He explained that in the last five years, sea transportation mode, especially speedboat, have experienced a significant decline.

"In the past, the average departure per day was 20 to 25 units carrying passengers from Kotabaru to Tanah Bumbu," he said.

However, the current condition is that there are 5-7 departures every day on weekends, but ony 3-5 departures on weekdays.

"On average one sppedboat carries 2-people at a rate of Rp100 thousand per person," he said.

Besides lack of passengers, Ahar complained about the high prices of fuel thus adding to the burden of the operational cost.

He said he wanted to switch professions to other fields, but he has no other expertise. His education is only junior high school (SMP).

Ahar hopes that there will be a regulation governing water transportation in Kotabaru, such as a collaboration with tourism program so that this jobs can bring in better economic value and not to become extinct.