THE state government is no longer interested in taking over the Penang ferry service, according to Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
However, it is hoped that the Penang ferry service, which is run by Prasarana Malaysia Bhd through its subsidiary Rapid Ferry Sdn Bhd, will see improvement in its service.
“The state government had earlier made some research on the cost of operating the Penang ferry and found out that if taking over the ferry service and the management of the Penang Port Sdn Bhd under a package, it would yield a good revenue.
“But if it is operated separately, we may suffer a loss of RM10 million to RM15 million per year by only taking over the running of the ferry service,” said Chow.
The state government, under the leadership of former Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, had expressed its desire to take over the Penang ferry service.
“Prasarana Malaysia, through Rapid Ferry, needs to look into ways of reviving the public transport (Penang ferry service) ,which is operating at a loss, in terms of its finance as well as its service,” added Chow.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis
Video by Darwina Mohd Daud