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GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Port Commission (PPC) will open a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the proposed renovation of the existing ferries and their conversion into a tourist attraction.
PPC Chairman Tan Teik Cheng said that in order to maintain the historical value and iconic elements of the state, the two existing ferries would be renovated as floating restaurants, museums or for tourist cruises.
“It is to mark the contribution of these ferries to Penang’s identity and cultural heritage. Therefore, PPC will make an RFP offer to anyone who is interested in the initiative, “he said in a statement, here today.
Tan assured that the ferry service will not be interrupted and the existing ferry rates will be maintained, although as of January 1, the new passenger speedboat service will begin to operate.
He said the public would enjoy the new passenger speedboats for free for a period of two weeks.
“From January 1, 2021, the existing ferry service can only be used by cyclists and motorcyclists, while speedboats will be used to carry individual passengers,” he said.
Earlier, the Ministry of Transport said that the modernization phase of ferry services would begin with the introduction of three water buses (for foot passengers) from 1 January 2021, followed by two carriers for motor vehicles only from two wheels (such as motorcycles and bicycles). that would operate from 2022.
On December 17, Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz told Dewan Rakyat that RM 30 million had been allocated for the modernization of the ferry service, which would be channeled through two payments, in 2021 and 2022.
As a temporary measure, the ministry said that Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) would provide two speedboats to carry passengers, as well as obtain a Prasarana-owned ferry service to transport two-wheelers in an effort to aid the transition process during the term.
