Rapid Ferry

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]

Penang Ferry Service
Locale Penang, Malaysia
WaterwayPenang Strait
Transit typePassenger and automobile ferry
Owner
Began operation1894 (1894)
System length3 km (1.9 mi)
No. of lines1
No. of vessels6
No. of terminals2

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.

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.[6]

StatusUpper deck configuration*NameYear builtDeadweight tonnageIMO ship identification numberPhotograph
RetiredPassenger[7]Pulau Labuan19711397038408
Out of
service		MixedPulau Rawa19752627343736
Out of
service		MixedPulau Talang Talang19752627343748
Out of
service		MixedPulau Undan19752627343724
Retired/SoldMixedPulau Rimau19801007911076
In serviceMotocycle and BicyclePulau Angsa19811008010491
Out of
service		MixedPulau Kapas19812808101082
Out of
service		VehiclePulau Payar20024409254393
Out of
service		VehiclePulau Pinang20024409275244
In servicePassangerKenangan 1,2 and 3???

Terminals

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

Map Location Terminal Image
 George Town Raja Tun Uda
Butterworth Sultan Abdul Halim
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
  • Hotline : 604-3102 377

Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda (Island side)
  • First ferry departure : 0540 hours
  • Last ferry departure : 0040 hours
  • Duration : 15-20mins
  • Hotline : 604-2102 363

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
TypeRate (in Malaysian Ringgit (RM))
AdultRM1.20
Children (between 5 and 12 years oldRM0.60

Season ticket (pedestrians) – valid for two months from date of issue
TypeRate (in Malaysian Ringgit (RM))
AdultRM30.00

Special passengers
TypeRate (in Malaysian Ringgit (RM))
Students in school uniformRM0.60
Holders of Kad Orang Kurang Upaya (Disabled Person Card)Free

Vehicles
Type of vehiclesRate (in Malaysian Ringgit (RM))
BicycleRM1.40
Motorcycle (inclusive of pillion rider)RM2.00

References
  1. Cheah, Jin Seng (2013). Penang: 500 Early Postcards. Editions Didier Millet. ISBN 9789671061718.
  2. "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. "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. Shipping Data - Ship Reference
  7. "Off-limit zone held waiting folk: Captain", New Straits Times, 1 Mar 1989
  8. "Still traumatised after 29 years - Nation | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 2018-03-01.
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