GEORGE TOWN: One of two vessels of the Penang Ferry service, which experienced an engine malfunction on Monday morning, will resume operations today.
Prasarana Malaysia Bhd, in a statement last night, said the Pulau Angsa ferry will resume operations as normal at 6am today.
"As such, passengers can use the ferry at a frequency of 40 minutes.
"Alternatively, five buses will continue to be provided to smoothen the flow, especially during peak hours," it said.
On Monday, the iconic Penang Ferry service was suspended until Wednesday for emergency repair works.
A notice posted near the entrance to the ferry terminal in Weld Quay stated that the service was suspended for the time being due to malfunctioning ferries.
Rapid Ferry head Osman Amir had said that the three-day service suspension was necessary due to some technical engine problems.
Meanwhile, Prasarana said Rapid Ferry discovered technical engine problems on the Pulau Angsa and Pulau Undan ferries at about 1.30am during maintenance and routine upgrading works.
A notice on the service suspension was made public at 6am.
As a result, 10 free bus services were provided to transport commuters between Penang Sentral and the Weld Quay Terminal beginning 6.30am, at a frequency of between 10 and 20 minutes.
"As for the Pulau Undan ferry, it needs specific parts and repair works, which are expected to be completed by Thursday.
"We will try our best to expedite the repair works," it added.
Prasarana also said that two other ferries — Pulau Talang and Pulau Kapas — had been suspended for the past month as both needed intensive engine maintenance and upgrading works.
"This is expected to take another six weeks as the parts had to be ordered from Sweden and Ireland.
"Rapid Ferry again apologises to all for the inconvenience caused," it added.