Labuan Roro ferry operator Labuan Mainland Link Sdn Bhd chairman Chin Hong Vui said the revision, which excludes commercial vehicles (used for transporting goods), was made after taking into consideration a spike in operating costs.

The new fare for sedan type vehicles is RM57 for a one-way trip, compared to RM40 previously, and RM67 for MPV/SUV, four wheel-drive vehicles and private vans, compared to RM50 previously.

Motorcycles below 250cc will pay RM26, while motorcycles of 250cc and above will pay RM41.

“Our company has tried its best to maintain the existing fare despite the high investment value. The fare rates have not been changed for the past 15 years,” he said.

Labuan-Mainland Link is a Ro-Ro ferry operator servicing the Labuan-Menumbok (Sabah), route with its three ferries — MV Goodwill Star, MV Putrajaya and MV Kimanis 1.

In addition to its fleet for the domestic route, its MV Joy Star ferry services an international route between Labuan and Muara (Brunei).

Chin said they would not increase the fare for commercial vehicles, such as lorries, as it will cause prices of consumer goods in Labuan to go up.

He said the RM300 increase in workers’ minimum wages from RM1,200 to RM1,500 per month had also accounted for a 25% increase in the company’s operating costs.