Thumbs up for modern ferry terminal

Muhamad Umar and his family at the spacious waiting area of the Sultan Abdul Halim terminal in Butterworth. — Photos: ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star

FERRY passengers travelling from Penang mainland to the island were pleased with the newly upgraded Sultan Abdul Halim terminal (PSAH) in Butterworth, Penang.

Teacher Muhamad Umar Rizwan, 29, said the modern look was in line with Seberang Prai’s status as a major city in the country.

“It is clean, spacious and comfortable.

“It even has facilities for disabled persons that are quite impressive,” he said.

Muhamad Umar, who came from Shah Alam, Selangor with his wife and three young children, said the last time he visited Penang was 15 years ago and this time, his ferry journey was more pleasant and enjoyable.

Lim Chee Wei, 44, a Penangite who has been commuting by ferry for 20 years, said the place felt like being at an airport terminal.

“The waiting area used to be small, crowded and dirty but now that it has been upgraded. I look forward to coming here every day,” said the sales executive.

Tan (right) and Sasedharan watching a passenger tap her MyKad at the eticket gate to enter the ferry terminal.

Earlier, Penang Port Commission chairman Datuk Tan Teik Cheng visited PSAH to check its development status, accompanied by Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) chief executive officer Datuk Sasedharan Vasudevan and PPSB senior officers.

During a press conference, Tan said he was impressed with the upgraded terminal that provided a first-class experience for passengers.

“Terminal operator PPSB wanted to deliver the best service and the latest amenities,” he said.

He added that the ferry service was in line with the Federal Government’s intention to provide world-class facilities for Penangites.

The 400sq m terminal is equipped with air-conditioning at its waiting areas along with WiFi, phone-charging docks and facilities for the disabled.

PSAH will also have a retail area with 16 stalls on the first floor while the renovated Raja Tun Uda terminal (PRTU) on the island will have 25 retail outlets.

PSAH and PRTU terminals have been operating since their soft launch on Oct 1.

Sasedharan said RM10mil was spent on the upgrading of the waiting areas and retail shoplots at both terminals while RM20mil more was spent on upgrading the berthing systems for the ferries.

He said the cost of the upgrading work was borne by PPSB and the Federal Government.