50% off for motorbikes on RoRo ferries in 2022

Let’s go: Penang Port corporate communications chief Khairol Ikram Salamat handing out flyers to motorcylists on a RoRo ferry in George Town. — LIM BENG TATT /The Star

GEORGE TOWN: Motorcyclists and cyclists using the Penang Roll-On, Roll-Off (Ro-Ro) boats can look forward to a 50% discount on fares next year.

Penang Port Commission (PPC) will charge only RM1 of the previous fare of RM2 for motorcycles and 60 sen from the previous RM1.20 for cyclists, for six months from Jan 1 to June 30, 2022.

PPC chairman Datuk Tan Teik Cheng, who announced this at a press conference yesterday, said the move is to help alleviate the people’s hardship during the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said a total of 300,000 motorcyclists and cyclists used the Ro-Ro ferries this year, compared with the 600,000 before the pandemic.

“Everyone will benefit including foreigners, with commuters using the ticket counters as usual and enjoying the 50% discount automatically,” he added.

Tan also announced that the Federal Government has disbursed RM15mil of the total RM30mil to Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) for the purchase of five new ferries, which will carry pedestrians and two-wheelers.

“The balance of RM15mil will be disbursed next year with PPSB to bear all costs of upgrading the ferry terminal including the purchase of the ferries if it exceeds RM30mil,” he said.

Tan hoped that with the disbursement of the amount for the ferries by the Federal Government and the upgrading of the ferry terminal, a modern and more efficient service can be provided for the people.

“It must be noted that the ferry service operated by PPSB is different from its other business segments as it is more of a social service to the people of Penang and not profit-motivated.

“As such, we believe the RM30mil will enable PPSB to implement all the plans for the development of the ferry service, which was approved by PPC and the Federal Government,” he added.