GEORGE TOWN: The much-awaited four new high-capacity, modern-day ferries will make their debut here in mid-July, marking a new era in cross-channel commuting for pedestrians and those on two-wheelers.
Each ferry costing RM18mil can take in 250 passengers plus 50 two-wheelers.
The ferry terminals on both ends are also seeing major transformation, with the upgrade including a 400sq m modern facility with an air-conditioned waiting area equipped with WiFi, phone-charging docks, and facilities for disabled persons.
Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) chief executive officer Datuk Sasedharan Vasudevan said the fully upgraded Raja Tun Uda terminal on Penang island, which has 25 retail outlets, would be ready by the time the new ferries arrive.
He said works on the Pengkalan Sultan Abdul Halim new terminal on the mainland, which features 16 stalls on the first floor, had been completed and in operation since October 2022.
“It is a RM100mil upgrade for the terminals and the purchase of the ferries, which cost RM18mil each.
“The new ferries will replace the fast boats that are presently plying between the mainland and island from the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal,” he said.
PPSB, the operator of Penang Port, wanted to keep the appearance of the new ferries under wraps.
However, pictures of one of the ferries, called Teluk Bahang, taken at a shipyard in Haiphong, Vietnam, went viral in March.
It is learnt that another ferry is called Teluk Kumbar.
The new ferries and the upgrading of the new terminals have thus put to rest talks that the iconic Penang ferries would make a comeback in plying the north channel.
The RM30mil upgrade of the new ferry terminals is meant to cater to the new ferries; switching back to the old ferries does not appear to be an option.
“The upgrading and modification of the terminals and berth area were a well-thought-out plan, which is to transform the facet of the Penang ferry service into a modern public transport hub,” said Sasedharan.
He said travel time on the new ferries would be as fast as the boats presently (about 10 minutes), which will be convenient for working commuters.
The old ferries took about 20 minutes to cross the channel.
The new ferries will take in about 250 passengers plus two-wheelers, with four-wheelers continuing to use the two bridges to cross the channel.
All the old Penang ferries, except one, were retired in December 2020.
The only ferry in service to carry two-wheelers has also stopped its services since December 2022 to make way for the terminal upgrade.
Pedestrians now cross the channel on fast boats.
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