GEORGE TOWN: The authorities have shelved a decision to suspend Penang ferry services for three months beginning Sept 1, during which upgrading works at the terminal were to take place.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said that for now, ferry services will continue as normal, and that he was informed of the development during a meeting with Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong on Thursday.
The upgrading had been planned as part of a project to create a new and improved ferry service for Penang.
Chow also revealed that the ministry will be making a presentation to the state government on the proposed upgrading of the terminal, as well as contingency plans before the project takes off.
"The services may be suspended temporarily in future if the upgrading project begins.
"Some modifications to the terminal are necessary before the new service can operate," he added.
Chow was speaking to the press after the Greatech's Giving Day ceremony at its plant near Bayan Baru, today. Greatech will contribute RM1.2 million to seven organisations in the education and community sectors which have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, Chow said the ministry has decided to hand over ferry operations to Penang Port Sdn Bhd; and to allocate RM30 million for the purchase of new ferries.
The meeting also discussed other transportation-related issues in Penang, such as the Penang International Airport (PIA) expansion project, and the light rail transit (LRT) plan.
On PIA's expansion, he said Wee has responded well to Penang's proposal to exclude the project from the National Airport Strategic Plan (NASP) study, as preparations for the development are already at an advanced stage.
However, he will leave it to the minister to make further announcements on the matter.
As for the LRT project, he said that the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) has escalated the state government's railway scheme application to the ministry for approval.
He said that there are technical issues that still need to be resolved, including the location of the new stations.
When asked about the overall outlook of the meeting, Chow said that it was 'very positive' for the state.
"(Wee) was willing to listen and consider (our feedback)," he added.