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GEORGE TOWN: Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong confirmed today that Penang would have to say goodbye to its old ferries, despite the promise made by Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz on the Dewan Rakyat.
The ferries will give way to “safer, faster and cheaper to maintain” water buses (for carrying passengers) and lighters (for carrying motorcycles), which are expected to arrive in mid-2022.
In a statement, Wee said that while many had expressed regret over the elimination of the old ferries, passenger safety was paramount and therefore a new generation of ferries had to be put into service.
“It is undeniable that the service has intangible cultural and heritage value for many Malaysians who enjoy the trip.
“Several quarters have expressed regret over the decision, although it aims to make the Penang ferry service safer, faster and less prone to unsustainable maintenance costs.
“Costs have skyrocketed at least once a month with existing 47-year-old ferries (as repairs need to be made).
“It was a considered decision to modernize the ferry fleet. We want to avoid unwanted incidents and inconveniences that may occur.
“I again explained to Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow about the federal government’s plan to replace existing ferries to optimize the safety, sustainability and safety of the passenger ferry fleet.
“We want to make sure that both locals and tourists continue to enjoy the service,” said Wee.
The Transport Minister said that the Finance Minister’s statement that ferry services would continue was held, with a total of RM30 million allocated by the government, to be delivered in two tranches in 2021 and 2022.
Recently, it was announced that the port operator Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) would spend RM30 million on its own to upgrade the ferry terminals on the island and the mainland, and acquire three water buses and two motorcycle carriers. This would replace the current ferry service in mid-2022.
Cars will not be able to use the ferries from January 1, and an old ferry will be used only for motorcycles. Until the new water buses and lighters arrive, passengers will be transported in speedboats, similar to those used in Langkawi.
In a separate statement, PPSB said that pedestrians will not be charged any fees to use the speedboat ferries for two weeks, starting January 1.
Currently, pedestrians pay RM1.20 for a round trip on the ferry.
