Source: Buletin Mutiara

Visitors heading to Gurney Bay will soon have easier access to the popular waterfront destination with the opening of a new parking facility on March 18. The additional parking spaces are part of the ongoing Phase 2 development of Gurney Bay, aimed at improving convenience and accessibility for both locals and tourists.

State Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jason H’ng Mooi Lye announced the opening during a site visit on March 15. The new car park, located in front of Restoran Bali Hai, will provide 143 parking bays.

To encourage the public to make use of the new facility, the Penang state government has decided to offer free parking from March 18 until April 30. Parking charges will only be introduced starting May 1, with the rates currently under review by Chief Minister Incorporated (CMI). According to H’ng, the fees will be set at a reasonable level while ensuring the parking area is properly managed in a sustainable and organised manner.

The new facility forms part of a broader plan to enhance infrastructure at Gurney Bay as the waterfront project continues to take shape. Once fully completed, the development is expected to emerge as a major waterfront attraction for Penang, benefiting both the local community and the tourism sector while strengthening the state’s overall appeal.

In total, the Gurney Bay development will provide 813 parking bays for cars. Phase 1 currently offers 68 bays, while Phase 2 will include 143 surface parking bays and an additional 602 bays within a multi-storey parking facility. To cater to tourism-related activities, 12 dedicated bus parking bays have also been allocated in Phase 2.

Motorcyclists will also benefit from expanded parking provisions, with a total of 233 motorcycle bays planned across the project. This includes 62 bays in Phase 1, 71 bays near Restoran Bali Hai in Phase 2, and another 100 bays within the multi-storey parking facility.

Meanwhile, Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk A. Rajendran revealed that the council is studying the feasibility of implementing a one-way traffic system along Persiaran Gurney, from Jalan Tanjung Tokong to Jalan Pangkor.

The study comes amid rising traffic volumes over the past decade, alongside ongoing development in the area. Rajendran noted that vehicles from Jalan Tanjung Tokong, Pulau Adaman and Jalan Tanjung Bungah converge onto Persiaran Gurney, making traffic management increasingly important.

Pulau Tikus assemblyman Joshua Woo Sze Zeng also encouraged visitors to utilise designated parking facilities such as Pickle By The Sea, reminding the public to avoid illegal parking in order to keep the area accessible and well-organised.

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