By V. Sivaji
The ferry service between Butterworth and Georgetown is up and running again today (August 7, 2023).
The ferry ride takes only 10 minutes across the channel and it’s free of charge for one month till September 6, 2023.
Among the first to take a ride on the maiden trip from Butterworth was Penang caretaker government’s Chief Minister YAB Chow Kon Yeow accompanied by several dignitaries.
Among them was Deputy Education Minister, YB Lim Hui Ying, Penang Port Sdn Bhd chairman Dato Syed Mohamed Syed Murtaza, Penang Port Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Dato Sasedharan Vasudevan, Penang Port Commission general manager V. Vijayaindiaran among others.
“The Penang State Government, Penang Port Sdn Bhd and Penang Port Commission are pleased to announce the resumption of the ferry service today.
“We will be using the Raja Tun Uda terminal here in Georgetown and the Sultan Abdul Halim terminal (Butterworth). As such, the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal will cease to serve the ferries.
“The new ferries are named Teluk Bahang, Teluk Kampi, Teluk Duyung and Teluk Kumbar.
“We wish to thank the federal government, especially the Transport Minister, for implementing the long awaited project,” said Chow in a press conference.
The first ferry will commence from Butterworth at 6.30am and end at 9.30pm while on the island the first ferry will start from 7am and end at 10pm.
There will be a total of 68 trips (both ways) in a day. The ferry service will also connect the Rapid bus service and the ETS train service on the mainland for the convenience of the general public.
