GEORGE TOWN – The Transport Ministry and the Penang Port Commission (PPC) should clear the air on the vehicular ferry service plying the Penang Channel, said state executive councillor Zairil Khir Johari.
In a statement issued today, he said thousands of motorists in the state are still in the dark on the status of the ferries as their services are reported to end on December 31.
He said the authorities – the ministry and PPC – have yet to explain Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz’s announcement in Parliament on December 17 that the ferry service will continue.
PPC had on December 15 announced that the vehicular ferry services would come to an end on December 31, and catamarans carrying passengers would be introduced from January 1.
It said a new vehicle transporter would be introduced in 18 months; however, the proposed vehicle transporter will only carry motorcycles and emergency vehicles such as fire engines and ambulances. It will no longer ferry private cars.
“This will cause difficulties to the motorists who use the ferry daily.
“This situation has safety risks for motorists as more people will be commuting at the terminals. Apart from this, the addition of cars using the bridge will increase traffic congestion during peak hours.
“The state urges the Transport Ministry to fulfil Tengku Zafrul’s promise, which is also a request from the people of Penang who want the ferry services for vehicles to be continued beyond 2021,” Zairil said.
Tengku Zafrul had said in the Dewan Rakyat that the RM30 million allocated by the previous Pakatan Harapan government would be released to Penang Port Sdn Bhd in two tranches next year.
“The government will ensure that Penang Port continues Penang’s iconic ferry service,” he had said. – The Vibes, December 22, 2020
