GEORGE TOWN – Will the Penang Channel soon resemble a scene like the Sydney Harbour or the Amsterdam waterfront with scores of criss-crossing idyllic ferries?
The idea may not be far-fetched after the Transport Ministry issued a directive to study the need to increase ferry links between the mainland and island, in addition to the present system.
For the past 126 years, the only water link between Seberang Prai and the island was through the narrow channel stretch between Butterworth and Weld Quay.
There are now four catamaran ferries, which take ten minutes to ply the route from 7am until 9.30pm daily, where they only transport pedestrians and motorcyclists as well as cyclists.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke has ordered Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB), the ferry operator, to instead study extending the links to other locations on both sides of the channel as soon as possible.
The matter was also conveyed to the Penang Port Commission (PPC) as the port’s regulatory agency, which is responsible for arguably the third busiest port in the country after Port Klang and Tg Pelepas.
Loke said he had discussed with PPC the need to explore ways to expand the ferry services to include other points on both Prai and the island, other than the present connectivity link between Butterworth and Weld Quay.
“Let us not be too rigid with our scope of services, as we have been only connecting Butterworth and George Town all this while,” he said.
“We should be open to exploring other destinations in Penang since we have some locations with jetties. We will then look at whether it is suitable for these ferries to head to these destinations."
The move is part of the federal and state government efforts to alleviate road congestion.
Loke said this after the new catamaran ferry service was officially launched by the Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak here.
Among those present was Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng.
Penang’s new fleet of four ferries, costing RM80 million, went into operation on August 7 and it is complimentary for a month to all users.
Since August 7, PPSB has recorded over 50,000 foot passengers and 20,000 motorcyclists using the service.
Loke also spoke about allowing PPSB to lease one of the new ferries for tourism purposes when it can be chartered to ferry tourists around the island.
He added that PPC will be willing to work with tour companies to convert the iconic double-decker ferries into an attraction for tourists to utilise.
Among those who have praised the concept of multiple locations for ferries is former Bar president Datuk Abdul Fareed Gafoor, who has been advocating for the ferries to also take in vehicles to alleviate the worsening traffic congestion here.
He said that having the new ferries is a good addition to Penang, but it should have room to carry vehicles so it can act as a third link after the two Penang Bridges. – The Vibes, August 17, 2023
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