If you were upset by the news that Penang’s iconic ferry service will cease operations, don’t be, because the government has stepped in to ensure the service is continued, according to a report by The Star.
“The government will impose a condition on Penang Port to carry on the iconic and heritage ferry service,” said finance minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz. He goes on the say that this condition would be imposed in relation to the RM15 million out of the RM30 million approved for Penang Port (PPSB) to take over the ferry service from Prasarana.
“I can confirm that the allocation will be made in two payments. The first payment of RM15 million will be made in 2021 and has been included in the Supply Bill 2021,” Tengku Zafrul explained.
On Tuesday (December 15), it was revealed that all remaining vessels in the current Rapid Ferry fleet will be retired from service at the start of next year. While public transportation across the Penang Strait will continue with the adoption of water bus crafts, these will only carry passengers and not four-wheeled vehicles.
The new water buses will operate between the Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim ferry terminal in Butterworth and Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda. Penang Port Commission chairman Datuk Tan Teik Cheng previously said the old ferries will be stopped entirely by 2022, although one of the existing ferries will be retained for use in transporting bicycles and motorcycles.
The first cross-strait ferry service between Penang Island and the mainland began in 1894, making it the oldest ferry service in the country. Difficulties in keeping the ageing fleet running and service disruptions prompted the initial decision to retire the service, with more focus placed on passengers over vehicles – about 1.3 million passengers and 240,000 four-wheel vehicles use the ferry service annually.
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Tengkiu penang state gomen!! prihatin & sayang rakyat
Correction: tengkiu federal gomen!! Prihatin & sayang rakyat
Next time have proper meeting before publish verdict / decision la. Very Sien to see u all always u turn here u turn there. Don’t treat the nation as a circus, else u deserve to be called clowns
This is penang state gomen after all. Pusing sana sini
Make sure those ferries are safe to transport vehicle and passenger, i am not sure is there a additional budget to help the maintenance of the ferries? By imposing a new condition on existing take over but with no new supplement budget for refurbish ailing old ferries may be dangerous to ferries user.
it was reported in the news that the yearly cost of operating current fleet of 4 Penang Ferries, 2 in operation, 2 seriously in need of major overhaul, + all others, comes to a cost of RM24 million.
the RM30 million allocation will only last 5 quarters.
1) A detail study must be made to into knowing how to trim the yearly operation cost of RM24 million.
2) If the current fleet of vintage ferries cost too much to maintain, then open up the tender to design and build replicas of these, engage the China shipbuilders.
We have the plans for those ferries.
Is just a matter of building new ones to the same blueprint, while fitting latest fuel saving engines, electronic navigation systems and what not.
Plenty of local shipbuilders in semenanjung and sabah/sarawak can build such simple ferries. Do an open tender to build them.
Operational costs could be trimmed by
1) building new ferries to the same blueprint instead of constantly repairing old ones
2) installing latest generation fuel saving marine diesel engines with turbocharge and electronic fuel injections. That by itself could reduce the fuel burn up to 20% compared to old engines.
3) having low maintenance and low consumption LED lightings
4) better antifouling paint for the hull, so that algae and crustaceans doesnt stick to the hull and create drag.
be wary also of local operators/builders.
one gahmen linked company received RM6 billion to produce 6 war machine, but did not do so.
go read the news
not surprised at all. after 63yr, why Bising now