SIXTEEN stall owners at the Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda in George Town are now in a limbo following the switch of embarkation point for foot passengers taking the ferry service to Butterworth.
The pedestrians have to board fast boat ferries at Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal from tomorrow instead of taking the existing ferries from Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda for their ride to Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim in Butterworth.
Without pedestrians passing by their stalls from tomorrow because of the new move, Mohd Salim Abdul Rahman, the stall owners’ representative, said their business would be as good as “dead”.
The Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB), which will take over the running of the ferry service from Prasarana from tomorrow (Jan 1, 2021), has announced that fast boats would ferry foot passengers from Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal to Pangkalan Abdul Halim and vice versa.
The existing two iconic ferries will remain in service for sometime though. They will carry only motorcycles and bicycles, from Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda to Pangkalan Abdul Halim until “water buses” and “vehicle transporters” are made available in mid 2022.
“Most of us here have been operating for at least 30 to 40 years. We’ve not heard anything from the port authorities since I wrote an appeal letter to them on Dec 24 to move us to Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal,” said Mohd Salim, who runs a stall selling biscuits and bottled drinks.
Another stall operator, Ng Siew Heoh, said times are really hard on them.
“We suffered a big blow when the movement control order (MCO) came abruptly. We had made some orders before the MCO and all our goods were spoilt during the two-month closure.
“Now, we are dealt another blow without pedestrians passing by our stalls,” she said.
The stall owners were, however, delighted that Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Daniel Gooi has been trying his level best to assist them.
“I am told verbally by Penang Port Sdn Bhd that they would assist the stall owners. Their livelihoods largely depend on ferry foot passengers and it would definitely be stressful and tough for them if they still remain at the same place. I hope something positive will come out from our meetings,” said Gooi.
Today marks the last day for the iconic Penang ferry carrying pedestrians as well as four-wheel vehicles across the channel.
For the past week, many motorists, especially Penangites, have been queueing up to take their final ride for nostalgia’s sake before the existing ferries are put to pastures.
One such family is the Soh family from Gelugor in Penang.
“I just bring my family to experience our last ferry ride to Butterworth. I was very small when I took my first ferry ride. That is why I have fond memories.
“Without the iconic ferries, it will be a great loss for Penang, especially for the tourism sector. The fast boats for pedestrians are just an alternative,” said Simon Soh, who boarded the ferry today with his wife and two daughters.
The last ferry to carry passengers and four-wheel vehicles is at 12.30am (Jan 1) from Penang island to Butterworth.
Story by K.H. Ong