THE new Penang ferry system using speedboats (catamarans) has recorded a total number of 357,898 passengers after it has started operation since January this year.
State Transport and Infrastructure Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the statistics were from Jan 1 until October this year.
“Based on ridership records, the state government considers that the new ferry operation using catamarans has managed to receive good response from passengers as it is more comfortable, safe and faster compared to the old ferries.
“A consistent increase in ridership was also noticed after the state government has allocated subsidies to pay for the speedboat fees for all Malaysian passengers since July 1,” Zairil told the State Assembly today.
Zairil (PH-Tanjong Bungah) was responding to an oral question by Muhammad Faiz Fadzil (PH-Permatang Pasir), who wanted to know the number of foot passengers using the new ferry system and also whether it was well received by the public.
The Penang Port Commission stopped operating the state’s iconic ferry services on December 31 last year and replaced the vessels with speedboats from Jan 1 this year.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Alissala Thian