Penang’s new ferries, which arrived recently, officially began operations today.

The first ferry started service at 6.30am from the Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim (PSAH) ferry terminal in Butterworth to the Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda (PRTU) ferry terminal here.

Caretaker Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow boarded the first trip, which marked the official launch of the new ferry operations.

He arrived at the PRTU about 6.45am and was welcomed by Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) chairman Datuk Syed Mohamad Syed Murtaza.

Chow said the ferry service was an important service, especially for those using the mode of transport to and from work daily.

He said the four new state-of-the-art ferries — Teluk Bahang, Teluk Kampi, Teluk Duyung and Teluk Kumbar — replaced the iconic ferries after its operations were halted.

“These new ferries are far more efficient and comfortable compared to the previous iconic ferries.

“For a start, as announced, the fare will be free for a month. PPSB will absorb the ticket cost.

This is an initiative by the Penang Port Commission (PPC) and PPSB in conjunction with the operations of the new ferries and to reduce the passengers’ financial burden,” he told newsmen at the PRTU here this morning.

Chow said the state government had conducted engagement sessions with PPC and PPSB to ensure the ferry schedule is interconnected with other modes of public transportation, namely the Rapid Penang buses, for the comfort of users.

“PPC and PPSB are concerned with the needs of the ferry users and have prepared a total of 69 trips (both ways) daily with a frequency of every 20 minutes during peak hours and 30 minutes during non-peak hours,” he added.

Meanwhile, PPSB chief executive officer Datuk V. Sasedharan said they were still studying the fare, which will be announced soon.

“Through the 68 trips, we are targeting 100,000 passengers one way for one trip, making it 1.2 million passengers a year.

“This is about 95 per cent of passengers who use the service for work,” he said.

Ferry passengers lauded the new service.

Suraiya Khoo Abdullah, 55, who has not used the ferry service for more than 10 years, said she was thrilled to use the new ferry.

“I did not expect to be among the earliest passenger to board the new ferry.

“I am back here to visit my sister in Batu Maung from Johor and had taken the bus and I am thrilled with the new ferry service, which takes only 10 minutes to cross the island. It is very comfortable.

Zulkhairi Zubir, 40, also shared his joy with the new ferry service.

He said since the beginning of this year, he used the bridge as the ferry service for motorcycles was halted temporarily.

“I am staying in Bagan Ajam, Butterworth and works at the Escape Theme Park in Teluk Bahang.

Without the ferry service, I had to leave home about 5.15am. Now, I can leave home at 7am and still make it in time for work at 8.30am,” he added.

At RM18 million each, the new ferries will be used to carry pedestrians and two-wheelers.

A ferry service has linked Penang Island with Butterworth at the mainland for over 126 years.

In 2020, the state halted the use of the iconic double-decker vehicle-and-passenger ferries and replaced them with speedboat ferry services for passengers.

One of the older ferries then was used to transport bicycles and motorcycles.

Source: NST Online