THE Penang government is firm with its stand to maintain the current iconic ferry service.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow reiterated that the state has conveyed its stand to Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong and Penang Port.
“We want the Federal Government to change the current fleet of ferries with new ones; then continue with the service as a mode of public transport that is efficient while maintaining the iconic and heritage look.
“We have been told that it is not possible to maintain the current ferries due to several issues such as maintenance cost and the lack of seaworthiness. We believe all that can be solved if new ferries are bought.
“The iconic ferries have become part of our heritage. The Federal’s decision to end the current ferry service will hugely impact Penangites.
“The Federal Government has also proposed to renovate the old ferries into floating museums and restaurants,” Chow told Buletin Mutiara during his visit to the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT) in George Town today.
Penang Port Commission (PPC) extended an official invitation to the Chow and his team to experience the fast ferry boat which would be in service from Jan 1 next year.
Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB), which will take over the running of the Penang ferry service from Prasarana from Jan 1, 2021, will provide the ferry service carrying only motorcycles and bicycles but not four-wheeled vehicles.
The ferry service operation for motorcycles and bicycles is between Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim in Butterworth to Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda on the island from Jan 1 next year.
According to a recent PPSB statement, PPSB will also provide a ferry service for pedestrians by using fast ferry boats from Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim to the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal on the island from Jan 1 next year.
PPSB also said the use of fast ferry boats and the existing ferries was an interim measure before the introduction of the new ferries, namely “water buses” and “vehicle transporters” on July 1, 2022 or earlier.
PPSB has also announced that it will provide two weeks of free ferry services to foot passengers from Jan 1 to 14, 2021.
Chow was accompanied by Bagan Dalam assemblyman Satees Muniandy and Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen.
Present to welcome them were PPC chairman Datuk Tan Teik Cheng, PPSB chief executive officer Sasedharan Vasudevan and RapidFerry head Osman Amir.
Chow and his team also rode the iconic ferry.
“I first took the ferry service in 1980. There were many people traveling from the mainland to the island using the ferry service as there was no Penang Bridge at that time.
“I was one of those who used the ferry service to travel to the island. I was studying in Universiti Sains Malaysia back then.
“I remembered how excited I was on the ferry. I enjoyed the scenic view of the sea and the Penang island. That was 40 years ago,” he said.
Tan said that PPC and PPSB would not raise the ticket price of the ferry service for pedestrians during the interim period from Jan 1 to July 1, 2022.
“The ticket price will remain the same for adults (RM1.20), students and the disabled (RM0.60).
“We will be using three fast ferry boats from Jan 1 next year during the interim period.
“Two boats will be used during normal hours and all three will be used during peak hours.
“Each fast ferry boat can carry a maximum of 200 passengers at a time,” he said.
According to Tan, PPC and PPSB will prepare a report card every three months to be given to the Penang government.
“The report card will contain a detailed information about the new ferry service including the number of passengers, port operation and others.
“We can keep the state government up to date with the latest development of the new ferry service and further strengthen the relationship between us,” he added.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad and Law Suun Ting
Video by Alissala Thian and Alvie Cheng