GEORGE TOWN – The Penang Port Commission (PPC) will open Request for Proposal (RFP) applications to members of the public who are interested in renovating the existing ferries to be turned into a tourism attraction.
Its chairman, Datuk Tan Teik Cheng, said that to maintain the state’s historical value and iconic elements, two existing ferries would be renovated as floating restaurants, museums, or for tourist cruises.
“This is to mark these ferries’ contribution to Penang’s cultural identity and heritage. PPC will make an RFP offer to those interested in the initiatives,” he said in a statement here today.
Tan assured that the ferry service would not be interrupted and existing ferry fares would be maintained, even as the new speedboat ferry service begins operations on January 1.
He said the public would enjoy the new speedboat ferries 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 the speedboats will be used to carry individual passengers,” he said.
Earlier, the Transport Ministry said the modernisation phase of the ferry service would begin with the introduction of three water buses (for foot passengers) starting January 1, followed by two carriers for two-wheeled motor vehicles only (such as motorcycles and bicycles) to operate from 2022.
On December 17, Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz told the Dewan Rakyat that RM30 million had been allocated for the modernisation of the ferry service which would be channelled through two payments in 2021 and 2022.
The ministry said that as a temporary measure, Penang Port Sdn Bhd would provide two speedboat ferries to transport passengers, and would obtain a ferry service owned by Prasarana to transport two-wheeled vehicles in an effort to assist in the transition process during the period. – Bernama, December 30, 2020
