GEORGE TOWN – Penang Malays Association president Tan Sri Mohd Yussof Latiff has suggested that the island’s iconic ferries be leased for private cruises and parties with operating time depending on the demand.
Yusoff, 93, who heads the oldest Malay association in Malaysia said that the ferries can be used like riverboats cruises on the Melaka river.
He was commenting on the current outcry over the scrapping of the Penang cross-channel ferries.
He said the ferries should be retained and put to better use as tourist attractions and also serving the needs of motorists who are dependent on crossing between Butterworth on the mainland and George Town on the island.
He said the ferries need not run the entire day but only during peak commuting hours.
“The volume may have gone down but there is a need to meet the demand, so people need not have to use the bridges in the south to get to the north or central commercial area of Penang.”
Yusoff also said Penang needs to realise that waterways can be part of an integral public transport system which is cheaper and affordable rather than constructing highways.
Meanwhile, lawyer S. Raveentharan urged the Penang Port Sdn Bhd, who will take over the reins of operating the ferry service from next month, to introduce electronic ticketing and allow people making group bookings to enjoy discounts.
“We need to innovate our services. Nothing should stay constant”.
Raveentharan said that the port operator should find a balance in its services, citing public transport subsidies in many countries because it is less profitable due to its public service venture.
The Penang Port Commission on December 15 announced that the vehicular ferry services would end on December 31 and catamarans carrying passengers would be introduced from January 1. – The Vibes, December 22, 2020
