"It is a good idea that it was introduced, as previously people who travelled to Kota Kinabalu (Sabah) by land, would have to drive longer,"said Nazim Bakar, a government servant, adding that drivers also have to rush to every single checkpoint in order to make it on time.
He said the car ferry operation could also save travellers from spending money to buy petrol.Security-wise, Nazim commented, "With all due respect, I'm not saying that driving on the road to our neighbouring country is dangerous, but at least for the first three hours of our journey, we're safe from any possible crimes." He said that he would definitely try the new car ferry service once it is operational.
"At least it saves time," said a private sector employee who preferred to be known as Atiq.
She said that based on the experience shared by her colleagues and family members, the drive to Sabah's capital, Kota Kinabalu, has always been tiring, thus the service would be of help to frequent land travellers.
She added that the new service would enable travellers to spend less of their travel budget on car petrol, since drivers are now provided with a "shortcut".
"I believe that it will give opportunities and open another alternative route for international tourists to come visit our country," she said.
Another local who preferred anonymity commented that the introduction of the new car ferry service was a good idea as she could now travel in shorter time.
She said that although she does not travel to Sabah by land on a regular basis, the new service has given her the incentive to do so. "It's good news for us Sabahans who are working here as well as it will enable us to return home more often," said an expatriate from Sabah, Amelly Coates, who has been working in Brunei for the past six years.
Amelly said that she could now go back to Sabah to visit her family members over the weekend more often than before. Previously she could only be able to travel home about seven times in a year. "The journey via ferry will definitely save more time," she said.
Scheduled to be operational some time in October this year, the ferry service, which is expected to boost regional tourism, would reduce travel time between Sabah and Brunei to two hours from seven to eight hours by land.
The car ferry terminal project was one of the projects under the National Development Plan which costs $1.7 million.
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