Rapid Ferry

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Penang Ferry Service
Rapid Ferry (Pulau Undan).jpg
Locale Penang, Malaysia
Rapid Ferry is located in Penang
George Town
Butterworth
Butterworth
WaterwayPenang Strait
Transit typePassenger and automobile ferry
OwnerPenang Port Sdn Bhd
Began operation1894; 128 years ago (1894)
System length3 km (1.9 mi)
No. of lines1
No. of vessels6
No. of terminals2

The Penang Ferry Service is the oldest ferry service within the State of Penang, Malaysia, connecting the city of George Town on Penang Island and Butterworth on the mainland. This cross-strait transit has been operational since 1894, making it the oldest ferry service in Malaysia.[1] Its fleet of six ferries carries both passengers and automobiles across the Penang Strait daily; each roll-on/roll-off ferry could accommodate cars either on its lower deck or on both decks.[2]

The first cross-strait ferry service between Penang Island and the mainland began in 1894.[1] This regular service was initiated by Quah Beng Kee, an entrepreneur from Penang Island together with his 4 brothers forming a company named Beng Brothers.[3] 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, a government-owned entity which manages urban public transportation across Malaysia.[2][4][5] Following the handover, the ferry service has been rebranded as Rapid Ferry. On 31 December 2020, Rapid Ferry ended its service after 3 years.[6]

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.[7]

Status Upper deck configuration* Name Year built Deadweight tonnage IMO ship identification number Photograph
Retired Passenger[8] Pulau Labuan 1971 139 7038408 Pgferry Pulau Labuan.jpg
Out of
service		 Mixed Pulau Rawa 1975 262 7343736 FERRY RAWA.JPG
Out of
service		 Mixed Pulau Talang Talang 1975 262 7343748 Pgferry talang.jpg
Out of
service		 Mixed Pulau Undan 1975 262 7343724 Pgferry undan.jpg
Retired/Sold Mixed Pulau Rimau 1980 100 7911076 Pgferry Rimau.jpg
In service Motocycle and Bicycle (former Mixed) Pulau Angsa 1981 100 8010491 Pgferry angsa.jpg
Out of
service		 Mixed Pulau Kapas 1981 280 8101082 Pgferry kapas.jpg
Out of
service		 Vehicle Pulau Payar 2002 440 9254393 Pgferry Payar.jpg
Out of
service		 Vehicle Pulau Pinang 2002 440 9275244 Pgferry Pinang.jpg
In service Passenger Kenangan 1,2 and 3 ? ? ?

Terminals[]

At present, the two ferry terminals - one each in George Town and Butterworth - are also run by Penang Port Commission .[4]

Map Location Terminal Image
Seal of George Town.svg George Town Raja Tun Uda George Town Ferry Terminal, Penang.jpg
Truelogompsp.png Butterworth Sultan Abdul Halim Butterworth Ferry Terminal, Penang.jpg
Aerial photo of the ferry route with the Raja Tun Uda Ferry Terminal on the left and the Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal on the right

Major events[]

Ferry schedule[]

A typical passenger deck
A typical vehicle deck
The Butterworth passenger waiting area

Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim (Mainland Side)[]

  • First ferry departure : 0600 hours
  • Last ferry departure : 0000 hours
  • Duration : 20-30mins

Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda (Island side)[]

  • First ferry departure : 0540 hours
  • Last ferry departure : 0040 hours
  • Duration : 15-20mins

Arrival 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 operational

Ferry rates[]

The information and ticketing counter at Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal.

Pedestrian[]

Type Rate (in Malaysian Ringgit (RM))
Adult RM1.20
Children (between 5 and 12 years old RM0.60

Season ticket (pedestrians) – valid for two months from date of issue[]

Type Rate (in Malaysian Ringgit (RM))
Adult RM30.00

Special passengers[]

Type Rate (in Malaysian Ringgit (RM))
Students in school uniform RM0.60
Holders of Kad Orang Kurang Upaya (Disabled Person Card) Free

Vehicles[]

Type of vehicles Rate (in Malaysian Ringgit (RM))
Bicycle RM1.40
Motorcycle (inclusive of pillion rider) RM2.00

References[]

  1. ^ a b Cheah, Jin Seng (2013). Penang: 500 Early Postcards. Editions Didier Millet. ISBN 9789671061718.
  2. ^ a b "Penang attractions painted on two ferries - Metro News | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 2017-09-22.
  3. ^ Alan Teh Leam Seng (23 September 2018). "Malaysia's earliest ferry service" (PDF). New Sunday Times. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 December 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  4. ^ a b "MMC eyes handover of loss-making Penang ferry ops to Prasarana in 2 months". The Edge Markets. 2017-05-11. Retrieved 2017-09-22.
  5. ^ "Prasarana to take over Penang's ferry service for token sum of RM1 - Nation | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 2017-09-22.
  6. ^ Lim, Anthony (17 December 2020). "Penang ferry service to end on Dec 31 – cars will have to use Penang bridges to cross the channel from 2021- paultan.org"". Paul Tan's Automotive News. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  7. ^ Shipping Data - Ship Reference
  8. ^ "Off-limit zone held waiting folk: Captain", New Straits Times, 1 Mar 1989
  9. ^ "Still traumatised after 29 years - Nation | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 2018-03-01.

External links[]

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