THAIPUSAM celebration devotees will enjoy complimentary ferry and bus rides on specific routes from Jan 24 and 26.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook emphasised the provision of free rides for devotees traveling from Seberang Perai to the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple on Penang island.
“Recognising that numerous individuals from Seberang Perai will journey to Penang island for Thaipusam, the ministry has resolved to extend complimentary concessions to devotees for both ferry services managed by Penang Port Sdn Bhd and buses operated by Rapid Penang.
“This marks the inaugural implementation of such an initiative in Penang, and I trust it will significantly alleviate the travel experience for devotees, particularly those journeying from Seberang Perai to Penang island,” he told a media conference at The Light Hotel in Seberang Jaya today.
The ferry services will operate 24 hours on Jan 24 and 25; and on Jan 26, until 2am.
Meanwhile, the shuttle bus (ST01, Jetty – Adventist) to the temple will run from 2pm (Jan 24) to 1am (Jan 25) and 5.30am (Jan 25) to 1am (Jan 26).
Loke stated that this initiative aims to facilitate travel for devotees and support a key celebration in Penang, expressing hope for success to potentially extend it to other major festivities in Malaysia.
“If this proves successful, we will explore similar measures for other significant events across Malaysia,” he said.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, state Housing and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu, Penang Port Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Sasedharan Vasudevan, and Penang Port Commission general manager Dr Vijayaindiaran R. Viswalingam were also present at the announcement.
Separately, Loke said the Prime Minister has directed the Ministry of Transport to prepare a Ministerial memorandum to be presented to the Cabinet for approval, outlining the implementation details.
Story by Norman Sim
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar