LOKE : Penang Island To Mainland Ferry Service Resumes - FREE Fare For 1 Month

Starting from August 7th, residents and tourists in Penang will be able to enjoy a complimentary shuttle ferry service between the Raja Tun Uda Base (PRTU - Swettenham Pier cruise terminal) on the island and the Sultan Abdul Halim Base (PSAH) in Butterworth reported BERNAMA.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced the arrival of four new ferries in Penang, each worth roughly RM15 million. Penang Port Sdn Bhd would use the next four weeks as a trial phase to conduct various exercises and ferry pilot training. During this time, the Marine Department will put the four new ferries into service.

Beginning August 7th, the ferry service will run from 6 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. During peak hours, the ferries will run every 30 minutes, cutting the one-way journey time from 20 minutes to 10 minutes (as it was with the old ferries).

Passengers, including non-citizens, will be able to use this ferry service for free for one month. Each ferry can seat up to 150 passengers and 50 motorbikes and bicycles (only two-wheelers), for a total capacity of 250 passengers. However, unlike in the past, the new ferries will not transport four-wheelers.

According to Transport Minister Anthony Loke, up to three ferries would operate daily, with one vessel on standby. The new ferries have been designed with cutting-edge technology, such as closed-circuit television (CCTV), to ensure passenger safety.

Loke indicated that the fare structure after the complimentary period ends will be revealed later, after negotiations and agreement with the Penang Port Commission (PPC). However, he ensured that the subsequent fare would be affordable.