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PETALING JAYA: Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong says his ministry is open to using iconic old ferries as a tourist attraction. This comes after it previously said that Penang will say goodbye to its old ferries.
In a statement, he said that the old ferries could act as museums, but will no longer be used as a means of public transportation.
He said that the old ferries will be replaced by new, comfortable, air-conditioned and faster vessels, which will be acquired by Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB).
“The old ferries that were used to transport cars will no longer be used,” he said.
Over the next two months, Wee added that the old ferries will continue to be used to transport two-wheelers, including bicycles.
“While waiting for the purchase of the new boats, two from Prasarana will be rented to transport passengers,” he added.
The new boats, he added, are for passengers only and for transporting motorcycles or bicycles.
“All the new vessels will arrive in 18 months,” he said, adding that the purchase of the water buses and vehicle carriers will cost RM30 million.
In a separate earlier statement, PPSB had 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.
