More flights to Sibu, more train services for CNY travellers, says Transport Minister

PUTRAJAYA: The RM399 Kuala Lumpur-Sibu flight tickets for Chinese New Year by Batik Air are going on sale, beginning today.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said as the demand is high for the route for the Chinese New Year period, the ministry had asked Batik Air to offer flights from the capital to the Sarawak town on Feb 6 and 7.

"For KL-Sibu, the fare is fixed at RM399. These are added flights by Batik Air,” he told reporters after delivery his 2024 New Year mandate to the minitry’s staff here on Friday (Jan 12).

Loke said the additional flights were arranged after all economy tickets from Kuala Lumpur to Sibu, offered by other airlines, were sold out.

"This is bringing forward the planned regular flights to Tawau in Sabah and Sibu, which are supposed to start on Feb 8.

"We have fixed the ceiling prices for flights to Sabah and Sarawak during the festival period.

"The airlines can sell these tickets at a price lower than RM599," he said.

As for the train rides this Chinese New Year period, Keretapi Tanah Melayu would be making additional trips to Ipoh and Padang Besar from Kuala Lumpur.

"There will be six electric train services every day with four extra trains for the routes of KL Sentral-Ipoh-KL Sentral on Feb 7 and Feb 13.

"Two of the KL Sentral-Ipoh-KL Sentral express trains will only take two hours as compared to the normal train rides which take two hours and forty minutes.

"The two-hour trains will only stop at KL Sentral, Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh. Tickets for these will be on sale from Jan 15 onwards," said Loke.