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The Penang Ferry Service is the oldest ferry service within the State of Penang,
*31 July 1988 – The collapse of the Sultan Abdul Halim ferry terminal bridge caused 32 fatalities, while 1,674 others were wounded.
*1 January 2021 – The Penang ferry service is terminated after 126 years and replaced with new fast boats.
Photos of the Penang-Butterworth Ferries, by Peter LoudFeri Penang
Ferry companies of Malaysia Transport in Penang Northern Corridor Economic Region 1894 establishments in Asia {{Northern Corridor Economic Region
The Penang Ferry Service is the oldest ferry service within the State of Penang, Malaysia
Malaysia ( ; ) is a country in Southeast Asia. The federation, federal constitutional monarchy consists of States and federal territories of Malaysia, thirteen states and three federal territories, separated by the South China Sea into two r ...
, connecting the city of George Town on Penang Island
Penang Island ( ms, Pulau Pinang; zh, 檳榔嶼; ta, பினாங்கு தீவு) is part of the state of Penang, on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It was named Prince of Wales Island when it was occupied by the British Ea ...
and Butterworth on the mainland
Mainland is defined as "relating to or forming the main part of a country or continent, not including the islands around it egardless of status under territorial jurisdiction by an entity" The term is often politically, economically and/or dem ...
. This cross-strait transit has been operational since 1894, making it the oldest ferry service in Malaysia. Its fleet of six ferries carries both passengers and automobiles across the Penang Strait
The Penang Strait is an 11 kilometre-wide strait that separates Penang Island from mainland Malay Peninsula. Penang Island is to the west of the channel, while Seberang Perai, the mainland half of the State of Penang, is to the east. The norther ...
daily; each roll-on/roll-off ferry could accommodate cars either on its lower deck or on both decks.
The first cross-strait ferry service between Penang Island
Penang Island ( ms, Pulau Pinang; zh, 檳榔嶼; ta, பினாங்கு தீவு) is part of the state of Penang, on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It was named Prince of Wales Island when it was occupied by the British Ea ...
and the mainland began in 1894. This regular service was initiated by Quah Beng Kee, an entrepreneur from Penang Island
Penang Island ( ms, Pulau Pinang; zh, 檳榔嶼; ta, பினாங்கு தீவு) is part of the state of Penang, on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It was named Prince of Wales Island when it was occupied by the British Ea ...
together with his 4 brothers forming a company named ''Beng Brothers''. Originally a passenger-only service, the ferries were later refitted to carry automobiles in 1925. From 1924, the ferries were operated by the Penang Port Commission (formerly Penang Harbour Board), through its subsidiary, Penang Port Sdn Bhd.
In 2017, the Malaysian federal government began transferring the ferry service from Penang Port Sdn Bhd to Prasarana Malaysia
Prasarana Malaysia Berhad (Prasarana) (English: Malaysian Infrastructure Limited) is a 100% government-owned company which was set up by Ministry of Finance (Malaysia) as a corporate body established under the Minister of Finance (Incorporation ...
, a government-owned entity which manages urban public transportation across Malaysia. Following the handover, the ferry service has been rebranded as Rapid Ferry. On 31 December 2020, Rapid Ferry ended its service after 3 years.
In 2021, Penang Port Sdn Bhd, which took over the ferry service from Prasarana Malaysia Bhd, began operating fast passenger boats between the mainland and the island, while one of the iconic ferries, Pulau Angsa, was used to transport only motorcycles and bicycles.
Ferry fleet
The seven ferries in the current fleet and ten retired ferries are named after islands in Malaysia.Terminals
At present, the two ferry terminals - one each in George Town and Butterworth - are also run by Penang Port Commission .Major events
*31 July 1988 – The collapse of the Sultan Abdul Halim ferry terminal bridge caused 32 fatalities, while 1,674 others were wounded.
*1 January 2021 – The Penang ferry service is terminated after 126 years and replaced with new fast boats.
Ferry schedule
Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim (Mainland Side)
Weekdays: *First ferry departure : 0630 hours *Last ferry departure : 2030 hours *Duration : 8-10mins Weekends: *First ferry departure : 0700 hours *Last ferry departure : 2030 hours *Duration : 8-10minsPangkalan Raja Tun Uda (Island side)
*First ferry departure : 0540 hours *Last ferry departure : 0040 hours *Duration : 15-20minsArrival Interval
*5.20 am to 10.00p.m. : 20 – 30 minutes with 4 ferries operational *10.00 pm to 1.00a.m : 40 minutes with 1 ferry operationalFerry rates
Pedestrian
Season ticket (pedestrians) – valid for two months from date of issue
Special passengers
Vehicles
References
External links
Photos of the Penang-Butterworth Ferries, by Peter Loud
Ferry companies of Malaysia Transport in Penang Northern Corridor Economic Region 1894 establishments in Asia {{Northern Corridor Economic Region