Bus service revived in Lapok, Long Lama areas after nearly 20 years - Borneo Post Online (2025)

MIRI (April 20): After nearly two decades without public transport, rural commuters in Lapok and Long Lama can finally hop on a bus again.

A new bus service was launched on March 8, reconnecting these remote areas with this city and bringing the much-needed convenience to villagers who have long relied on private cars, motorcycles, or costly four-wheel-drive vehicle (4WD) services.

The reintroduction of the bus service has come after repeated appeals from local communities and leaders who have long highlighted the lack of affordable and reliable transportation.

Local company Miri Transport Company (MTC) revived the route under a rural connectivity initiative aimed at improving accessibility for residents in the interior areas.

“We understand the struggles of those in the rural areas who need to travel for medical appointments, for education, and for work.

“This service should help ease their financial burden and improve their quality of life,” says MTC general manager Alice Kuan Yat Lee in an exclusive interview with thesundaypost.

According to her, MTC is providing 10 buses for the rural services, which will also cover the Batu Niah and Bekenu areas.

‘Bringing back past era’

For many elderly rural residents, the return of the bus service brings back memories of an era when regular public transport connected their villages to Miri.

However, with the rise of private vehicles and poor road conditions that made bus maintenance expensive, the previous service was discontinued some 20 years ago.

Puyang Wan, 67, a resident of Long Lama, expresses her relief at the new service.

“I am overjoyed that we can finally use the bus again to travel between Miri and Lapok.

“What’s special this time is that the route now covers Long Lama, which is where I’m headed today,” she enthuses.

Puyang recalls using the bus service in the 1990s and early 2000s, when buses were not air-conditioned.

“Back then, it was quite uncomfortable during long journeys, but we still depended on it,” she says, adding that the travelling time back then was much longer due to the terrible road conditions.

“The roads were in bad shape. They were bumpy, full of potholes, and muddy whenever it rained.

“The journey was exhausting, but we had no other choice.”

Previously, the journey between Lapok and Miri took almost four hours by bus – sometimes longer, depending on road conditions. If the section near the Sungai Bok Bridge was flooded, passengers would be stranded for hours waiting for the water levels to recede before they could continue their journey.

‘Life-changing’

The completion of the upgraded Lapok Road from Simpang Mamut near Bekenu, costing RM101.3 million in early 2015, has significantly improved travelling times.

Improved road conditions have brought changes to the lives of locals. Many now own vehicles, making the travels between Miri and their villages much easier than before.

Some even earn a living by offering private chartered services.

“With better roads, people along the Simpang Mamut-Lapok-Long Lama stretch can now afford cars and travel more easily.

“But not everyone can afford a vehicle like myself. We still depend on private transportation, which is costly, but we have no choice,” says 40-year-old Lydia Ubong, who frequently travels to Miri for medical appointments at Miri Hospital.

Being a housewife, who depends solely on her husband’s income, makes private transport hard to afford.

“Sometimes, especially before the new school term starts, my children and I have to travel to Miri to buy school uniforms and other necessities.

“With the bus option now available, it is a much cheaper alternative for my family and me.”

The new service features air-conditioned buses, providing much better comfort to the commuters.

Transforming livelihood of local communities

The revival of the bus service is expected to bring positive economic changes to residents living in Lapok, Long Lama and the surrounding villages by giving the rural communities better access to opportunities in Miri and beyond.

Malisa Budin, 46, a Penan from Long Daloh, Patah, has been making handicrafts from rattan with her relatives for years.

“Crafting items like rattan baskets and handbags has been in the family for generations.

“We would spend weeks weaving them, and once we have enough, we’d take private transport to Miri to sell them.

“Today, I’m bringing some rattan handbags to Miri using the new bus service. My relative there will help courier them to Kuching to be sold there.”

Malisa says using the bus to courier the items is much more affordable than private transport.

As for local traders, they now can anticipate more visitors coming to buy local products and produce.

Rural markets often offer jungle produce and exotic food that are hard to find in the larger towns, or even if they are there, they would be sold at much higher prices.

Ulau Jau, in her 60s, has been selling various jungle and homegrown vegetables for over a decade at the ‘tamu’ (farmers and jungle produce market) facing the Baram River in Long Lama.

She rents her stall space from the local council at RM200 per month.

“Sometimes, I earn enough to cover the rent, but there are months when I cannot. So, I’d say running this small business has its ups and downs.

“I hope that now, with the bus service in Long Lama, more visitors will come and support local traders and businesses here.”

Ulau also hopes the local council and the state government would open up weekend markets to draw visitors to the area and support the rural economy.

Tourism’s perspective

Tourism is another sector poised for growth.

Telang Usan assemblyman and Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) chairman Datuk Dennis Ngau believes that better connectivity can attract more domestic and international visitors to explore Baram’s rich cultural and natural attractions.

“Long Lama and Lapok could serve as key gateways to some of Baram’s hidden gems, especially after the ongoing road upgrades reach completion within the next five years,” he tells thesundaypost.

According to the assemblyman, from Lapok, travellers can head to attractions like the Three Sisters Waterfall in Long San, Baram, or continue the journey up to the Bario Highlands.

From Bario, one can either trek to Ba Kelalan or fly there.

Both Bario and Ba Kelalan offer stunning views of terraced paddy fields and a cool climate due to their high elevation.

“With better road connectivity, this bus service could eventually extend to Ulu Baram, Bario, and beyond. I foresee major transformation in the lives of our people in the coming years.”

Dennis adds that Lapok Bazaar, which has existed for nearly a century, holds great potential as a key hub in Baram’s tourism industry.

“Between Long Lama and Lapok lies Loagan Bunut National Park, a site that has long been overlooked.

“The road to the park is damaged and poorly maintained, which is likely why few people visit.

“The facilities there are also run down, with no treated water.”

Dennis calls upon the government to consider revitalising Loagan Bunut by upgrading its facilities and improving road access from the main junction.

“We have so much to offer in Baram that include our culture, nature and unique way of life.

“Improved accessibility means more people can experience this first-hand, bringing benefits to local businesses and communities.”

The new bus service will also benefit students and workers, who previously struggled with transportation.

With lower commuting costs, more people may now pursue job opportunities in the urban areas, while continuing to live in their hometowns, resulting in greater financial stability for families.

“The combination of better roads, public transport, and growing interest in local enterprise, agriculture and tourism, points to a brighter future for the people of Lapok, Long Lama, and the wider Baram Region,” says Dennis.