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GEORGE TOWN: The iconic ferry service in Penang can only be used by motorcyclists and cyclists as of January 1, said Chairman of the Penang Port Commission (SPPP) Tan Teik Cheng.
Tan said that four-wheeler ferry services would no longer be provided as of that date, which is in line with Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong’s statement on the service on Thursday.
“The motorcycle and bicycle ferry service operation is between Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim in Butterworth and Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda on the island.
“Starting on January 1, there will also be a ferry service for passengers, that is, pedestrians, using fast ferries from Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim to the Swettenham Pier cruise terminal on the island,” he said in a statement today.
He said the use of fast ferries and existing ferries was an interim measure before the introduction of the new ferries, namely “water buses” and “vehicle transporters” on or before July 1, 2022.
Tan said that during the interim period, both Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim and Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda would be refurbished and upgraded to operate new ferries (water buses and vehicle carriers) in order to provide more efficient ferry service and more comfortable terminals for all users.
“SPPP ensures that the ferry service will not be interrupted despite renovation works in both terminals and during the interim period the existing ferry rates will be maintained,” he said.
Meanwhile, Tan said that a shuttle bus service to take passengers from the Swettenham Pier cruise terminal to Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda would be provided free of charge to pedestrians using the fast ferries.
“This shuttle bus service is provided free of charge to take passengers disembarking at Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal to Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda to make it easier for them to obtain a bus or taxi service to continue their journey.”
