GEORGE TOWN – Despite efforts to inspire a change of heart, the Transport Ministry and Penang Port Commission (PPC) remain firm on their stand not to bring back vehicular ferries due to incompatibility issues with the replacement speedboats, as well as inadequate equipment to maintain them.
State Public Utilities and Transportation Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the state had indicated to the federal government that it is keen to see the return of the vehicular ferries, in line with the sentiments of the people.
“After seeing the response from the Transport Ministry, the iconic ferry services, however, will no longer be continued as a means of transport to cross the channel.
“We believe they have no plans to bring back the iconic ferries. Moreover, ferry terminals on both sides are undergoing upgrading works and, upon their completion, the terminals will no longer be able to cater to the iconic ferries.
“This is because the iconic ferries do not have ramps on board. They rely on hydraulic ramps that are affixed to the ferry terminals and the hydraulic ramps will be removed to cater to the new ferries,” Zairil said.
However, he said other changes may be implemented instead.
“The ministry may introduce modernised vehicular ferries, and the state believes the federal government would then make changes in its plan to reintroduce the car-carrying ferries,” he said.
On a ferry gifted by the PPC to the state, he said the state is currently deciding on what to use it for, as it can no longer be used to transport people.
On January 27, PPC chairman Datuk Tan Teik Cheng had announced the group’s decision to gift one of its iconic ferries to the Penang government.
Prior to that, Tan had announced that Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) will take over the ferry services from Prasarana Malaysia Bhd and passenger speedboats would be introduced to carry foot passengers.
On January 1, PPSB introduced the passenger speedboat services to carry pedestrians, replacing the iconic ferries that had been operating for about 126 years. – The Vibes, March 18, 2021
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