A study on the effciency of Inland Waterway Transport System (IWTS) in Sarawak : Sarikei Division

Abstract

The Sarawak Inland Waterway Transport System (IWTS) as it is the primary means of transportation for a large section of the population living in the interior to access basic amenities such as schools and health services with their own longboats for travel along the tributaries of the rivers. Undeveloped IWTS in rural areas has a direct and indirect impact on the human poverty and quality of life because they have difficulties to access to basic amenities. This study explores the efficiency of IWTS in Sarawak: Sarikei Division which is carried out by investigate the current major navigable river systems and major routes in four districts (Sarike, Meradong, Julau and Pakan) where passenger express, longboat and speedboat services operate. Meetings and discussions are being held with local government agencies, private sectors and rural communities to understand their perceptions of issues. The objectives of the study are to investigate the number of rural communities which only rely on river transport access with Public River Transport (PRT) operations, to identify the dangerous area of the waterway in rural areas with respect to the available navigational aids and to determine the current infrastructure available provided in each passenger terminalsand the perception of user satisfaction. This paper discusses the current condition of public river transport operations, waterway infrastructures and landside infrastructures which provided for local users. The findings in this study are important because in a developing country, it is essential to improve the transportation problems or issues in the rural areas, especially river transport. Further, in exploring the concept of study provided and its evaluation from users' perception, additional insights into users' satisfaction and hence improvement measures are provided. It is their perceptions, their decisions and their behavior could matter. Efficient IWTS is able to improve mobility and access to economic and social services, to increase market activity, to improve livelihoods and to increase access to hospitals, clinics and schools, particularly in rural areas.