GEORGE TOWN: The new fast ferries replacing the old Penang ferries do live up to their names – they are speedy, taking just about seven minutes to cross the channel, compared with a 20-minute trip on the older ferries.
But there are drawbacks. The seating is tight and close, with little space for social distancing. It can be claustrophobic and if your are prone to sea sickness, it might not be your cup of tea.
In a preview for pressmen and an entourage from the Penang Port Commission, 105 people boarded the “Kenangan-2” boat at Swettenham Pier for a round trip to Butterworth and back this morning.
The all-pedestrian boats have a 200-person capacity, similar to the old ferries, although those could accommodate another 30-odd cars and close to a hundred motorcycles as well.
The two fast ferries will be in service from Jan 1 and will be free for two weeks, after which, a charge of RM1.20 per adult and 60 sen for children will apply.
The Riau-built ferries, on loan from the Langkawi Ferry Service, will run at 20-minute intervals during peak hours and 30-minute intervals during off-peak hours. An additional fast ferry is on standby. All the ferries have been endorsed by the Marine Department.
Ferry operator Penang Port Sdn Bhd’s CEO Sasedharan Vasudevan said the service caters only to the 1.3 million pedestrians who used the older ferry and were mostly workers.
“We want to move people, not cars. In these fast ferries, you are in air-conditioned comfort and sheltered from the elements. Most importantly, you get there on time,” he said.
In the old ferries, lashing rain and winds could leave passengers wet. However, on a non-rainy day, it was a breezy, leisurely ride.
Sasedharan said there will be 40 roundtrips a day for the fast ferries from 6.30am to 11.30pm daily from the Swettenham Pier, George Town, daily and from the Pengkalan Sultan Abdul Halim, Butterworth.
The fast ferries will be in service until June 2022 before making way for three newer “water buses” and two vehicle transporters for motorcycles. Motorcyclists, cyclists and trishaws will have to use the lone Pulau Angsa ferry until the lighters arrive by July 2022.
On the Butterworth side, those alighting the fast ferries will be received by the “Singa Besar 9” pontoon, which is aligned parallel to the old ferry terminal ramp.
Upon alighting, passengers are directed to a staircase which brings them to a bridge connecting to Penang Central, where they can get a bus, taxi or e-hailing ride to their destination.
Attendants will be on standby to help disabled persons to board the fast ferries, with wheelchair-bound persons to be carried into the boats for now.