The RM3 boarding fee at Miri Sentral Bus Terminal, recently introduced and the subject of public debate, is implemented to cover the terminal’s operational costs. This fee is not included in bus ticket prices and is not imposed by the Miri City Council (MCC).
The RM3 charge is collected to support daily expenses such as rent, utilities, security, cleaning, and maintenance. The terminal is operated by a consortium of bus companies that took over full responsibility for the facility’s management after securing the operating contract. Monthly operational costs are reported to range between RM60,000 and RM70,000.
The fee is required from all passengers, including those who purchase tickets online or in person, as a boarding pass must be obtained at the counter prior to boarding.
A centralised ticketing system is currently being developed to consolidate ticket sales at a single point. This system aims to eliminate competition-related issues and curb aggressive touting caused by price discrepancies among different bus companies. Full adoption of this system is expected in the near future.
The upcoming unified ticket pricing will not incorporate the RM3 boarding fee. Its purpose is to standardise fares across all operators, ensuring fair competition and preventing price undercutting. Despite a rise in costs—such as new buses increasing from RM400,000 to RM700,000 and other operational expenses—bus ticket prices have remained unchanged since 2009.
The fee structure is designed to ensure the continued and sustainable operation of the terminal and related transport services.
Reports suggesting that the RM3 fee would be removed have been clarified as inaccurate due to a misinterpretation of earlier information.
The presence of the MCC logo on boarding fee receipts resulted from a verbal request made during preliminary discussions and was not intended to misrepresent official involvement.
