Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim (PSAH) and Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda (PRTU) are currently undergoing upgrading work in order to provide better and comfortable services to ferry passengers.
Present at a press conference to share the new updates was Penang Port Commission chairman, Datuk Tan Teik Cheng and Penang Port Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Dato’ Sasedharan Vasudevan.
The upgraded facilities involve air-conditioned waiting areas, free WIFI connection, lift for OKU, senior citizens, and expectants, modernized and comfortable rest rooms. E-E-ticketing has been introduced whereby the tickets can be purchased via Touch-n-Go or Mifare, debit/credit card or payment via DuitNow QR Pay. The terminal is also equipped with shop lots and a food court.
The next phase involves the upgrading of wharf at PSAH and PRTU. The upgrading process will be starting from Jan 1st, 2023 until July, 31st, 2023.
The upgrading works will involve the replacement of old ramps and the installation of floating pontoons in order to fit in with the specification of new ferries.
“During this period when the upgrading works were carried out, the two-wheeled vehicle ferry service had to be stopped. Ferry services commuting from PSAH and Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT) for pedestrian passengers will continue as usual. A total of 200 free sheltered parking slots for motorcycles and bicycles will be provided at both PSAH, Butterworth and SPCT ferry terminals, George Town.”, said Tan.
The PSAH ferry terminal will allocate the parking spot at the existing motorcycle waiting area while ferry commuters from George Town will park at the godown area at SPCT, George Town, entrance via Jalan Tun Syed Barakbah. The parking for motorcyclists/cyclists is available from 6am to 9pm.
This will enable the motorcyclists/cyclists to cross using the existing speedboat ferry which is faster and more efficient, less than 10 minutes journey. Both terminals are well-connected with Rapid Penang bus station which facilitate the commuter’s movement.
The Penang State Government and Rapid Penang will launch new free CAT Bridge bus services from BM Summit through Bandar Perda at Bukit Mertajam to Penang Island from 1st of January 2023 onwards.
Free motorcyclist parking lots will be provided at Park N Ride Bandar Perda . The current free CAT Bridge bus from Seberang Jaya will continue as usual. These two bus services are provided free for commuters and motorcyclists/cyclists for to and fro journey between mainland and the island.
“The upgrading works involve the work of piling at the seabed to ensure the firmness of floating pontoons and the said work will take some time since it is indeed, a risky work. I believe that when the upgrading works of both PRTU and PSAH terminals are completed and in line with the introduction of new ferries in Penang waters, the people of Penang will be able to enjoy modern, comfortable, fast and efficient ferry services,” added Tan.
“Through these upgrading efforts, PPSB aims to provide more efficient ferry terminals in the future which will be beneficial for the public to travel back & forth. Before commencing on the upgrading works, PPSB has worked very closely with the Penang Port Commission (PPC) and Penang State Government to provide a comfortable terminal which is suitable for the disabled and old folks” said Dato’ Sasedharan
Vasudevan, CEO of PPSB.