SEBUYAU: There are now three ferries operating at the Sebuyau-Triso ferry service point at Sungai Batang Lupar.
The newest ferry, capable of carrying 32 vehicles, started operating there last Sunday.
Coastal Road Assistant Minister and Sebuyau assemblyman Datuk Julaihi Narawi said this when officiating at a briefing on ferry safety for the local community at Dewan Pembangunan Sebuyau here today.
The Sebuyau-Triso ferry point connects Sebuyau, Triso, Meludam and Pusa in Betong Division.
The ferry point has witnessed increasing traffic since the completion of Batang Sadong Bridge at Kampung Sungai Buloh in 2016 and Samarahan Bridge sometime last year.
Based on statistics from the Public Works Department, the number of vehicles using the ferry service shot up to 43,933 in December last year from 31,331 in October last year.
This had resulted in long queues at the ferry point and the additional ferry would be able to cut down the waiting time, especially during the peak periods such as the weekends, festivals and school holidays from four-and-the-half hours to two hours, said Julaihi.
He advised motorists using ferry services throughout Sarawak to always abide by the ferry safety rules and not to simply cut the queue.
He stressed that they should always cooperate with the ferry crew during embarkation and disembarkation.
“Only the drivers are allowed to remain in the vehicles which should have their windscreens down while the ferries are moving.
“While on the ferry, make sure you switch off your car engines and that you have pulled up the handbrakes,” added Julaihi.
He also appealed for cooperation from the local fishermen, especially those from Sebuyau and Maludam area and urged them not to set up their fishing nets in areas that could interrupt the ferry services.
It is learned that the Sebuyau-Triso ferry service will also shorten travel time between Kuching and Beladin near Betong from five hours to two-and- half-hours on the Kuching-Beladin route.
Later, after the briefing, Julaihi, accompanied by Deputy State Secretary Datuk Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki and other government officials, visited the ferry point.
They also boarded a ferry to get a first-hand feel of the ferry service.
