More room for ferry passengers

More room for ferry passengers

PENANG Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) has converted part of a ferry’s top portion, which was originally used to transport cars, to accommodate passengers.

Its chief executive officer Datuk Ahmad Ibnihajar said the conversion of the ferry was an addition to the three passenger ferries.

“A total of 120 passengers can be seated in the converted area while the two rows next to it can still cater to cars.

“This way, more people can take the ferries but the conversion also sees a loss of about RM150 for every trip as each floor can originally take up to 32 cars but that has been halved,” he said after distributing the Jalur Gemilang to ferry passengers at the Weld Quay ferry terminal yesterday.

Each round trip for cars costs RM7.70 while passengers pay RM1.20.

Ahmad also said depending on the demand, PPSB will consider adding extra ferries during the Hari Raya festive season.

“On normal days, there are only an average of 3,000 passengers but on festive seasons, the number can rise to 6,000.

“The ferry service is the second choice for motorists if the Penang Bridge is jammed. We currently have eight ferries,” he said.

PPSB ferry head Fisnol Mahmud, who was also present, said the converted ferry started operation on Monday.

~News courtesy of The Star~