KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Express Bus Operators Council (Seboc) is satisfied with the outcome of discussion between the council and Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) on the issue of increase in departure fee and counter rental at Inanam Bus Terminal.
Its president, Datuk Donald Hanapi said both parties had agreed to a win-win solution, hoping the infrastructure at the terminal would be improved.
“DBKK Holdings recently increased the counter rental from RM500 to RM700, while departure fees increased from RM10 to RM15. After the discussion with Mayor Datuk Abidin Madingkir, he agreed to reduce the counter rental to RM600 and departure fee to RM13.
“We are very thankful with the cooperation and the willingness of DBKK and the Mayor to listen to our problem. We also had the opportunity to listen to their problem. We finally had a win-win solution to this issue,” he said to The Borneo Post over the phone right after the discussion, yesterday.
Donald added that the DBKK had also agreed to improve the condition of the terminal by fixing all faulty lights, adding more seats for passengers and improve the condition of bus counters at the terminal.
“The Mayor also did a briefing on the planning to convert Inanam Bus Terminal into a modern terminal, and we were told that it would be the best bus terminal in Malaysia.
“He (Madingkir) also showed us the final design of the terminal and we are happy with the planning. We hope the increase will be an investment for us to give better services to our passengers,” he added.
Earlier this month, Donald had made a press statement that the council would be strongly against the move by government under DBKK Holding Sdn Bhd to increase the rental imposed on express buses at all terminals around the city centre starting from January 1, 2014.
“Otherwise, an increase in express bus fares will be seen as a burden to passengers.”
He said the 20 per cent increase in fares was too high and it would be a burden to the express bus operators.
In reply to the statement, Madingkir said he would be looking at the possibility of reviewing the increase and was also willing to discuss with the council.