Mv Likoni ferry. The lobby groups also asked the KFS management to
address frequent delays at the Likoni crossing caused by ferry
breakdowns. PHOTO | FILE
By MATHIAS RINGA
In Summary
- The lobby groups also asked the KFS management to address frequent delays at the Likoni crossing caused by ferry breakdowns.
Tourism industry players are piling pressure on the
Kenya Ferry Services (KFS) to put on hold its proposal to raise its
Likoni channel toll charges by up to 62 per cent.
The Kenya Association of Tour Operators (Kato), Kenya
Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC) and Kenya Coast Tourism
Association (KCTA) have instead recommended a tariff raise of below
seven per cent.
Last month, KFS proposed to charge Sh3,000 for a
truck carrying over 10 tonnes of cargo, up from Sh2,000 while a truck of
between 16 and 17 metres is to pay Sh1,850, up from Sh1,250 as fee for
crossing the Likoni channel.
Trucks on tow with a length of over 17 metres will
be charged Sh3,650, up from Sh2,420 while trucks on tow and between 17
and 18 metres will pay Sh2,000 up from Sh1,320.
Tour vans will be charged Sh350 per trip up from
Sh220, mini-buses Sh650 from Sh450 while buses will pay Sh1,300 compared
to the current tariff of Sh880 per trip.
Tankers which are loaded with fuel or empty will be required to pay Sh2,850, up from Sh1,900.
Yesterday, Kato Coast branch chairperson Monika
Solanki said tourism players were surprised by KFS’ proposal to raise
tour van charges by 59 per cent and that of tour buses by 62 per cent.
“The hefty charges will deal a further blow to
tourism which is still grappling with low international tourist
arrivals,” she said.
“We recommend the vehicle charges be raised by below seven per cent and that they be implemented from April next year.”
At the same time, the tourism lobby groups asked
the KFS management to address frequent delays at the Likoni crossing
caused by ferry breakdowns.
They also want a single use special fast track pass
for tour vans and buses to avoid delaying tourists either crossing over
to the South Coast or Mombasa Island
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