Penang ferry service
![Penang ferry service is located in Penang](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/23/Location_map_of_Penang_2023.svg/200px-Location_map_of_Penang_2023.svg.png)
![George Town](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Red_pog.svg/8px-Red_pog.svg.png)
![Butterworth](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Red_pog.svg/8px-Red_pog.svg.png)
The Penang Ferry Service is the oldest ferry service within the State of Penang, Malaysia, connecting the city of George Town on Penang Island and Butterworth on the mainland. This cross-strait transit has been operational since 1894, making it the oldest ferry service in Malaysia.[1] Its fleet of six ferries carries both passengers and automobiles across the Penang Strait daily; each roll-on/roll-off ferry could accommodate cars either on its lower deck or on both decks.[2]
The first cross-strait ferry service between Penang Island and the mainland began in 1894.[1] This regular service was initiated by Quah Beng Kee, an entrepreneur from Penang Island together with his 4 brothers forming a company named Beng Brothers.[3] Originally a passenger-only service, the ferries were later refitted to carry automobiles in 1925. From 1924, the ferries were operated by the Penang Port Commission (formerly Penang Harbour Board), through its subsidiary, Penang Port Sdn Bhd.
In 2017, the Malaysian federal government began transferring the ferry service from Penang Port Sdn Bhd to Prasarana Malaysia, a government-owned entity which manages urban public transportation across Malaysia.[2][4][5] Following the handover, the ferry service has been rebranded as Rapid Ferry. On 31 December 2020, Rapid Ferry ended its service after 3 years.[6]
In 2021, Penang Port Sdn Bhd, which took over the ferry service from Prasarana Malaysia Bhd, began operating fast passenger boats between the mainland and the island, while one of the iconic ferries, Pulau Angsa, was used to transport only motorcycles and bicycles.
Ferry fleet
The seven ferries in the current fleet and ten retired ferries are named after islands in Malaysia.[7]
Status | Upper deck configuration* | Name | Year built | Deadweight tonnage | IMO ship identification number | Photograph | Remark |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Retired | Mixed | Pulau Pinang | 1956 | N/A | 5286922 | ||
Retired | Mixed | Pulau Aman | 1959 | 139 | 5286831 | ![]() | Destroyed in a fire in Johor in 2003 [1] |
Retired | Mixed | Pulau Langkawi | 1959 | 139 | 5286867 | ||
Retired | Mixed | Pulau Pangkor | 1959 | 139 | 5286893 | Sold to Indonesia operator & rename as Bahari Nusantara | |
Retired | Mixed | Pulau Tioman | 1959 | 139 | 5287017 | ||
Retired | Mixed | Pulau Lumut | 1967 | 139 | 6422913 | Last spotted at Sepanggar Sabah in 2018 [2] | |
Retired | Mixed | Pulau Redang | 1971 | 139 | 7030470 | ||
Retired | Passenger | Pulau Labuan | 1971 | 139 | 7038408 | ![]() | |
Out of service by 31 Dec 2020 | Mixed | Pulau Undan | 1975 | 262 | 734724 | ![]() | Owned by Penang Port Commission (PPC) To be scrapped [3] |
Retired/Sold in 2018 | Mixed | Pulau Rawa | 1975 | 262 | 7343736 | ![]() | Beached at Teluk Intan, presume scrapped. [4] |
Out of service by 31 Dec 2020 | Mixed | Pulau Talang Talang | 1975 | 262 | 7343748 | ![]() | Owned by Penang Port Commission (PPC) Planned as sightseeing ferry stationed at Swettenham Pier |
Retired/Sold in 2018 | Mixed | Pulau Rimau | 1980 | 100 | 7911076 | ![]() | Owned by Ideal group. Planned as floating restaurant at Queens Waterfront. |
Retired in Jul 2022. | Mixed till 31 Dec 2020 / Passenger & Motorcycle only till July 2022. [5] | Pulau Angsa | 1981 | 100 | 8010491 | ![]() | Owned by Penang State Government |
Retired in 2018 [6] | Mixed | Pulau Kapas | 1981 | 280 | 8101082 | ![]() | Owned by Penang Port Commission (PPC) Sunk in July 2024 [7] |
Retired in 2019 | Vehicle | Pulau Payar | 2002 | 440 | 9254393 | ![]() | Owned by Penang Port Commission (PPC) Planned as floating restaurant |
Retired in 2019 [8] | Vehicle | Pulau Pinang | 2002 | 440 | 9275244 | ![]() | Owned by Penang Port Commission (PPC) Planned as museum at Tanjung Marina [9] |
Retired | Passenger | Kenangan 1,2 and 3 | 1999 | 156 | 8958784 | ![]() | |
In service | Passenger, Motorcycles & Bicycles | Teluk Bahang | 2023 | 150 | 9977610 | ![]() | |
In service | Passenger, Motorcycles & Bicycles | Teluk Duyung | 2023 | 150 | 9977646 | ||
In service | Passenger, Motorcycles & Bicycles | Teluk Kumbar | 2023 | 150 | 9977622 | ![]() | |
In service | Passenger, Motorcycles & Bicycles | Teluk Kampi | 2023 | 150 | 9977634 | ![]() |
Terminals
At present, the two ferry terminals - one each in George Town and Butterworth - are also run by Penang Port Commission.[4]
Map | Location | Terminal | Image |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Raja Tun Uda | ![]() | |
![]() | Sultan Abdul Halim | ![]() |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/88/Cmglee_Penang_Strait_aerial.jpg/600px-Cmglee_Penang_Strait_aerial.jpg)
Major events
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/49/Cmglee_Penang_Queensbay_Pulau_Rimau.jpg/250px-Cmglee_Penang_Queensbay_Pulau_Rimau.jpg)
- 31 July 1988 – The collapse of the Sultan Abdul Halim ferry terminal bridge caused 32 fatalities, while 1,674 others were wounded.[9]
- 1 January 2021 – The Penang ferry service is terminated after 126 years and replaced with new fast boats.
- 7 August 2023 – New Penang ferry was launched with replaces speedboats.
Ferry schedule
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/68/Penang_Sentral_ferry_waiting_area_%28221002%29.jpg/220px-Penang_Sentral_ferry_waiting_area_%28221002%29.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/46/Swettenham_Pier_queue_for_the_speedboat_%28220723%29.jpg/220px-Swettenham_Pier_queue_for_the_speedboat_%28220723%29.jpg)
Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim (Mainland Side)
Weekdays:
- First ferry departure : 0630 hours
- Last ferry departure : 2030 hours
- Duration : 8-10mins
Weekends:
- First ferry departure : 0700 hours
- Last ferry departure : 2030 hours
- Duration : 8-10mins
Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda (Island side)
- First ferry departure : 0540 hours
- Last ferry departure : 0040 hours
- Duration : 15-20mins
Arrival Interval
- 5.20 am to 10.00p.m. : 20 – 30 minutes with 4 ferries operational
- 10.00 pm to 1.00a.m : 40 minutes with 1 ferry operational
Ferry rates
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/94/Sultan_Abdul_Halim_Ferry_Terminal_Counter.jpg/220px-Sultan_Abdul_Halim_Ferry_Terminal_Counter.jpg)
Pedestrian
Type | Rate (in Malaysian Ringgit (RM)) |
---|---|
Adult | RM2.00 |
Children (between 5 and 12 years old | RM1.00 |
Season ticket (pedestrians) – valid for two months from date of issue
Type | Rate (in Malaysian Ringgit (RM)) |
---|---|
Adult | RM30.00 |
Special passengers
Type | Rate (in Malaysian Ringgit (RM)) |
---|---|
Students in school uniform | RM0.60 |
Holders of Kad Orang Kurang Upaya (Disabled Person Card) | Free |
Vehicles
Type of vehicles | Rate (in Malaysian Ringgit (RM)) |
---|---|
Bicycle | RM2.00 |
Motorcycle (inclusive of pillion rider) | RM2.50 |
References
- ^ a b Cheah, Jin Seng (2013). Penang: 500 Early Postcards. Editions Didier Millet. ISBN 9789671061718.
- ^ a b "Penang attractions painted on two ferries - Metro News | The Star Online". The Star. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
- ^ Alan Teh Leam Seng (23 September 2018). "Malaysia's earliest ferry service" (PDF). New Sunday Times. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 December 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
- ^ a b "MMC eyes handover of loss-making Penang ferry ops to Prasarana in 2 months". The Edge Markets. 11 May 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
- ^ "Prasarana to take over Penang's ferry service for token sum of RM1". The Star. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
- ^ Lim, Anthony (17 December 2020). "Penang ferry service to end on Dec 31 – cars will have to use Penang bridges to cross the channel from 2021- paultan.org"". Paul Tan's Automotive News. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
- ^ Shipping Data - Ship Reference
- ^ "Off-limit zone held waiting folk: Captain", New Straits Times, 1 Mar 1989
- ^ "Still traumatised after 29 years - Nation". The Star Online. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
External links
- Photos of the Penang-Butterworth Ferries, by Peter Loud
- Photos of Penang Ferry
- Penang Port Sdn. Bhd.
- Feri Penang
- v
- t
- e
- List of routes
- Rapid Penang
- Lean Hock Bus
- Penang Sentral
- Sungai Nibong Terminal
- L Mutiara line
- L Butterworth line
- L Ayer Itam line
- L Tanjong Tokong line
- L Bukit Mertajam monorail
- L George Town tram
- L Permatang Tinggi–Batu Kawan BRT
- Penang Hill cable car