Final crossing on New Year’s Eve

One of two fast boats docked at Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal to temporarily replace Penang’s old ferries come New Year’s Day, when cars and pedestrians will no longer ride them across the Penang Channel. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star

GEORGE TOWN: As the world bids farewell to 2020 on New Year’s Eve, Penang will also mark the end of its iconic ferry service when cars and pedestrians board the vessels for one final sail before they are replaced temporarily by fast boats.

Come Jan 1, it’s all systems go for Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) to take over the ferry service, ending its more than a century-long history.

“The two fast boats are here and unless there is a new directive, we will stick to the plan of using the fast boats from Jan 1 to temporarily ferry passengers, ” said PPSB chief executive officer Sasedharan Vasudevan.