The return fare from Kuala Perlis to Langkawi for adults will now be set at RM21, compared to RM18 currently, while a return trip from Kuala Kedah will cost RM26.50, compared to RM23 before.

Langkawi Ferry Line Ventures, which operates 17 ferries, said foreigners will have to fork out more, at RM27 per adult for a Kuala Perlis roundtrip, an increase of RM9, and RM19.50 for children, an increase of RM6.50.

Local Langkawi residents taking the ferry from Kuala Perlis will continue to pay RM15 for adults and RM13 for seniors.

The further Kuala Kedah line will now cost RM26.50 for local adults, an increase of RM3.50, while Langkawi residents will continue to pay RM20 per adult. Foreigners will have to pay RM34.50, an increase of RM11.50, the highest fare hike recorded.

The fares are being adjusted for the first time in 15 years following an increase in maintenance costs and general prices of goods, the ferry operator said.

Capt (Rtd) Baharin Baharom, the operations manager of Langkawi Ferry Line Ventures, said the two ferry lines had offered the country’s cheapest ferry fares at 86 sen per nautical mile (Kuala Perlis) and 77 sen per nautical mile (Kuala Kedah).

He said the old fares were based on an industrial diesel price of 83 sen per litre in 2007 compared to RM4.17 per litre today.

“We also cannot escape salary increases in line with wage policies set by the government from time to time,” he said in a statement.