GEORGE TOWN – Fast and comfortable – that’s how people have described Penang’s interim speedboat ferries, compared with the double-decker ferries.
The speedboat ferries will be used starting Friday, as the yellow ferries are being phased out.
A speedboat ferry can carry up to 200 passengers at a time, capable of reaching a speed of 12 to 15 knots.
Passengers can cross the channel in about seven minutes, compared with the slow-moving yellow ferries that take 15 to 20 minutes one way.
Today, a group of media personnel took a return trip on a speedboat ferry.
The experience is similar to taking a speedboat to Langkawi, being fully air-conditioned as well.
The speedboat ferries are expected to take 40 trips a day with a frequency of 30 minutes each.
These speedboat ferries will only operate for 18 months, before being replaced by three catamarans or water buses, and two vehicle transporters.
However, the transporters will only cater to motorcycles and bicycles.
It is understood that Penang Port Sdn Bhd has not finalised the purchase of the catamarans and vehicle transporters. – The Vibes, December 28, 2020
