23 December 2020 11:10 am / 19 comments
Despite voices to the contrary, it does look like it’s the end of the road for the iconic Penang ferry. On the night of December 31, the long-running ferry service will make its final run, ending its more than century-long history,
On January 1, Penang Port (PPSB) will take over the operations of the service and begin utilising its new water buses, which will come in the form of two fast boats. As reported previously, they will only carry passengers, meaning that cars travelling in and out of Penang will no longer be able to count on the alternative option of making the crossing by water.
Penang ferry service to continue on with RM30 million allocation from the government, says finance minister
18 December 2020 11:27 am / 9 comments
If you were upset by the news that Penang’s iconic ferry service will cease operations, don’t be, because the government has stepped in to ensure the service is continued, according to a report by
“The government will impose a condition on Penang Port to carry on the iconic and heritage ferry service,” said finance minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz. He goes on the say that this condition would be imposed in relation to the RM15 million out of the RM30 million approved for Penang Port (PPSB) to take over the ferry service from Prasarana.
17 December 2020 12:06 pm / 15 comments
From January 1, 2021, cars travelling in and out of Penang will no longer be able to count on the alternative option of making the crossing by ferry. The Penang ferry is sailing into history, with all the remaining vessels in the current Rapid Ferry fleet set to be retired from service at the start of next year.
While public transportation across the channel will continue with the adoption of water bus crafts, these will only carry passengers,
The Star reports. As such, four-wheeled vehicles will have to utilise the two bridges that link the island to the peninsular for their travel.
Coming into the picture: Sasedharan showing the type of waterbus which will be plying Penang’s waterways. KT GOH/The Star.
GEORGE TOWN: They are prone to breakdowns. Maintenance costs a bomb. The iconic Penang ferry will not be seaworthy soon.
These are some of the main reasons for waterbus coming into the picture in the near future.
Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) will take over the ferry services from Prasarana Malaysia Bhd from Jan 1,2021.
Work is already underway to refurbish the current terminal and bring in the waterbus to replace the present Rapid Ferry service within 10 to 12 months.
PPSB chief executive officer Sasedharan Vasudevan said all systems were in place for the takeover and three passenger-only waterbus would ply the waters.