Penang Ferry Service To Relocate To Swettenham Pier & Cater To Pedestrians Only Starting 2021

How are you doing Penangites? As much as we want to celebrate the end of 2020, it is sad to know that we also have to make some painful goodbyes. Apparently our beloved and iconic Penang Ferry will be not only relocated but also replaced with pedestrian-only catamarans coming 2021. Obviously, this huge change simply does not sit well with locals and tourists.

Penang Iconic Ferry Will Retire Starting 2021

Recently, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong told the Dewan Rakyat that only 200,000 vehicles used the ferry services, while 1.2 million were pedestrians. With that being said, he insisted that pedestrian-only catamarans will be enough to meet the demands. While vehicles can simply use the two current bridges to move about.

At the moment, only two ferries are used to carry all pedestrians, motorcycles, and cars. The last two ferries were built in 1975 and 1981 respectively. By the end of 2020, huge changes will be done to this nostalgic ferry service. Here are the events that will happen in the coming years:

1st Jan 2021 – 30th June 2022

• Raja Tun Uda Terminal will be temporarily closed.
• Ferry operations will be moved to Swettenham Pier.
• The ferry service will only be available for pedestrians and cyclists.

1st July 2022

• Reopening of Raja Tun Uda Terminal.
• Ferry service will be available for pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles, and emergency vehicles.
• New rates will be introduced.

December 2020 Is The Last Month To Ride On Penang’s Iconic Ferry

Heartbroken by the news, locals are making time to ride on the old ferry for one last time this month. Although some are desperately hoping that it will not end only as a fond memory. Said by Persatuan Kemajuan NUSA Pulau Pinang chairman Hazizi Padzil to New Straits Times, “We should not reject modernisation but we should also not ignore what we have now. Instead, we should work on improving it,”

Meanwhile, netizens are sharing pictures of the iconic ferries around on social media to make sure that the memories live on. Hopefully, the federal government will reconsider this decision as Penang is globally known for its nostalgic and historical ferry rides.

Source: NST

Also Read: This Home Goods Store in Penang Offers Ceramic Wares and Home Decors From RM1 Only

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