Langkawi passenger ferry fares increased between RM3 and RM3.50 for domestic tourists effective Aug 5, said Konsortium Ferry Line Ventures Sdn Bhd, which operates the services from Kuala Kedah and Kuala Perlis to the tourism hotspot.
It said the fares for Langkawi residents, disabled persons and senior citizens were unchanged.

The consortium's Human Resources and Operations manager, Captain Dr Baharin Baharom, said the last time fares were raised was 15 years ago.

"The price of industrial diesel has recorded a steady rise, from RM0.83 per litre in 2007 when the fares were last reviewed, to RM4.17 per litre currently. This made the fare hike inevitable.

"The consortium was also not spared from the new minimum wage enforced by the government.

"Following that, the minimum monthly pay for greasers was revised from RM1,500 to RM1,800 and from RM1,200 to RM1,500 for crew members," he said in a statement today.

Single-trip fares for adults and children travelling between Kuala Perlis and Langkawi have been increased from RM18 to RM21, and from RM13 to RM16, respectively.

However, Langkawi residents still pay RM15 for adults and RM10 for children.

The fares for disabled persons and senior citizens aged 60 and above also remain unchanged at RM10 and RM13, respectively.

Foreign passengers would see the biggest fare jump of RM9 for adults and RM6.50 for children.

Foreign adults will now be charged RM27 while children will be charged RM19.50.

For the Kuala Kedah-Langkawi route, fares for adults and children will be increased by RM3.50 to RM26.50 and RM20.50 respectively.

Langkawi folk will still pay RM20 for adults and RM14 for children.

Disabled persons and senior citizens aged 60 and above will still pay RM14 and RM17.

Foreign adults will now pay RM34.50, a jump of RM11.50, while fares for foreign children will increase from RM17 to RM25.50, a jump of RM8.50.