 | This article needs to be updated. (April 2023) |
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| Locale |  Penang, Malaysia Penang ferry service (Penang) |
|---|---|
| Waterway | Penang Strait |
| Transit type | Passenger and automobile ferry |
| Owner | Penang Port Sdn Bhd |
| Began operation | 1894 |
| System length | 3 km (1.9 mi) |
| No. of lines | 1 |
| No. of vessels | 4 |
| No. of terminals | 2 |
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.
- ^ a b Cheah, Jin Seng (2013). Penang: 500 Early Postcards. Editions Didier Millet. ISBN 9789671061718.
- ^ a b "Penang attractions painted on two ferries - Metro News | The Star Online". The Star. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "MMC eyes handover of loss-making Penang ferry ops to Prasarana in 2 months". The Edge Markets. 11 May 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
- ^ "Prasarana to take over Penang's ferry service for token sum of RM1". The Star. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
- ^ 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.