GEORGE TOWN: Prasarana Malaysia Bhd, through its subsidiary Rapid Ferry Sdn Bhd, will take over the Penang ferry operations from Penang Port Commission (PPC) tomorrow (Tuesday).
PPC chairman Datuk Tan Teik Cheng said the current ferry services had been handled by Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) since January 1, 1994, following the privatisation of Penang Port.
He said Rapid Ferry, as the new operator, would also take over all properties owned by PPC at the Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal (Butterworth) and Raja Tun Uda Ferry Terminal (George Town) through a leasing agreement.
“In line with the decision of the federal government last year, Penang ferries will be handed over to Prasarana from May 1, 2018 with its day-to-day operations to be handled by Rapid Ferry staff.
“Under this acquisition agreement, all PPC properties under PPSB would be leased to the new operator from that date onwards,” he said at the signing of the Penang ferry services takeover agreement here today.
Prasarana was represented by its chief financial officer Mohd Rafizee Abd Rahman, while PPSB by its chairman Datuk Syed Mohamad Syed Murtaza.
Tan said the ferry fares were expected to remain at RM7.70 for cars, motorcycles (RM2), pedestrians (RM1.20) and 60 sen for students.
This is based on the approval of the board of directors of PPC and Prasarana.
“We expect the ferry services to undergo a transformation process aimed at providing a more efficient, competitive and capable services that will meet the consumers’ needs.
“PPC, however, will remain as the port authority and regulatory authority over operations and operators, as well as continuing to operate existing ports,” he said.
Prasarana is expected to hold a separate media conference on May 5 to present its short-term and long-term planning in the daily operations of Penang ferries.