THE Penang government will continue to work together with Rapid Ferry Sdn Bhd or anyone who becomes the ferry operator to ensure the services can be run smoothly.
State Transport and Infrastructure Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said this is crucial because ferry service is one of the important modes of transportation in Penang.
“Although the ferry services fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government, the Penang government will continue to play its part to ensure ferry services operate properly for the people’s benefit.
“And if the Ministry of Transport (MoT) decides to appoint a new operator later, we will continue to cooperate for the improvement of the ferry services,” Zairil said in reply to Lee Khai Loon (PH-Machang Bubuk) during the State Legislative Assembly in Dewan Sri Pinang today.
Meanwhile, as part of the precautionary measures to prevent the disrupted ferry services that happened on Aug 24, Zairil (PH-Tanjong Bungah) said Rapid Ferry is in the process of conducting repair works of one of its ferries.
“The repair works are expected to be completed at the end of this month or early November.
“Prior to that, Rapid Ferry had already completed the repair works on two other ferries back in August that caused the service disruption,” he added.
Zairil also said the state government has already urged the MoT to prepare an overall plan and present it to the state before implementing the project to upgrade the ferry terminals.
“However until today, the state government has not received any updates on the matter.
“Thus, through a meeting with the Penang Port Commission (PPC) on Sept 14, we have decided to set up a working committee to oversee the ferry services,” he added.
To a supplementary question from Lee on whether there is any plan by the state government to take over the ferry operation, Zairil said the Penang government in 2016 once intended to take over the Penang ferry services.
“A series of discussions were held with the MoT at that time.
“However, after considering the operational cost and financial burden, the state government decided not to pursue it.
“The operating and maintenance costs of a ferry are about RM700,000 to RM800,000 per month.
“These do not include the cost of licensing, docking, terminals and other related costs which could cost about RM2 million a year.
“Thus, if the state government intends to take over the ferry services, significant financial implications need to be taken into account so as not to burden the Penang government later,” he added.
Regarding a supplementary question from M. Satees (PH-Bagan Dalam) on whether the ferry service would carry passengers only in the future, or whether catamarans would be used, Zairil replied that the state government is still waiting MoT’s response.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad