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Penang ferry service for 4-wheelers to end on December 31, 2020

UPDATE ON 17/12/2020: The Penang ferry services for 4-wheelers will not be discontinued after December 31, 2020 as the government has asked for them to continue. A sum of RM30 million will be provided to the Penang Port Sdn Bhd, which operates the ferry services, for maintenance and repairs so that the two ferries can continue to be used.

If you have not travelled on the Penang ferry, or have not done so for a long time, your last chance to do so will be December 31, 2020. After that, the service that has been running for 126 years will cease for 4-wheeled vehicles but will still be available for pedestrians, motorcycles and bicycles. From January 1, 2021, motorcars and commercial vehicles will have to use the two bridges to cross over to the island or vice-versa.

The move to end ferry operations is partly due to the ferries being old and maintenance costs are high. Though there used to be a number of ferries before, the number has actually dropped to two (Pulau Talang Talang and Pulau Angsa) as the others have aged and were decommissioned. While their vehicle-carrying role may no longer be used, there are plans to preserve them by turning them into a floating restaurant and museum at the Tanjung City Marina in George Town.

*Generations of Malaysians will remember the ride on the Penang ferries, which take about 15 to 20 minutes. There is time to stand on the deck and look out and enjoy the breeze.*

During the first six months of next year, two speedboats will be used to provide ferry services 40 times a day. These will be able to take around 200 passengers at a time. Currently, 1.2 million people use the ferries daily. It is believed that one of the remaining ferries will be used in the short-term for ferrying motorcycles.

With the suspension of the vehicle ferry services, the Raja Tun Uda Terminal will be closed for renovation and the ferry operations will be moved to Swettenham Pier. After the work is completed, the terminal will be reopened for the ferry services. New rates will also be announced at that time and additional vessels will also be put into service.

*From January 1, 2021, 4-wheeled vehicles will only be able to travel between the island and the mainland using the two bridges.*

History of the Penang ferry service
Generations of Malaysians have travelled on the ferries to cross over to the island before the first Penang Bridge was opened in 1985. The first regular ferry service began in the late 1800s, 1893 or 1894, and it was operated by the Beng Brothers. At that time, their ferries used the Kedah Pier on the island and Bagan Tuan Kecil Pier on the mainland side in Butterworth.

As the use of the ferry services grew, so too did the company running them although it was eventually taken over entirely by one of the brothers. The harbour authorities ensured that proper facilities were constructed with piers extending further out so that the ferries could dock in deeper water.

The modern ferries as we know them today appeared in the late 1950s, and they had the ability to efficiently load and unload vehicles at both ends. In fact, most of these early ones were used for decades and by now, the remaining ones are about 40 years old. To the credit of the engineers who designed and built them, and the people who maintained them, the mechanical breakdown that resulted in services being suspended only took place in August this year – the first time in the 126-year history of the service.

RFID tag can now be used on PLUS highways in Kedah and Penang

If you are driving on PLUS highways in Kedah and Penang and your vehicle has a RFID tag, you can now enjoy faster passage through the toll plazas. From today (Wednesday, July 22). All 9 closed toll plazas from Hutan Kampung all the way to Sungai Dua will open their dedicated toll plaza lanes.

The RFID lanes, which can only be used by privately-registered vehicles, have been available at other toll plazas (open toll system) since the beginning of this year. Those have been at Jitra, Lunas, Kubang Semang, Penang Bridge, Mambau, Lukut, Kempas, Perling, Lima Kedai and Tanjung Kupang.

However, plans by PLUS to roll out across its plazas with 84 closed toll systems (payment based on distance travelled) from April 1 2020 had to be deferred due to COVID-19 pandemic which subjected the country to the Movement Control Order (MCO). Since the implementation of the Recovery MCO, PLUS has resumed its program of RFID implementation.

“Our Northern highway customers can enjoy the convenient, swift and safe RFID experience. Aligned to the Government’s directive to move towards Multi Lane Free Flow (MLFF) toll highway, the introduction of RFID on closed toll system is a next step to make this goal a reality. The RFID technology allows for faster throughput thus reducing congestion at the toll lanes, which is the primary objective for PLUS adopting it,” said Datuk Azman Ismail, Managing Director of PLUS.

“Coincidently, its cashless and contactless transaction not only reduces human interaction at the lanes, but also eliminates the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Linked to an e-wallet as the source of funds, the RFID will reduce cases of insufficient card balances that cause hold up at lane. The ability to top up the e-wallet online helps replenish e-wallet balances regularly and negates the human interactions at toll plaza (for insufficient card balances) that increases the risk of COVID-19 transmission,” he explained.

Datuk Azman Ismail said PLUS anticipates a positive uptake of RFID tags from Penangites, while highway users in Kedah will want to start using the complementary electronic payment system to the SmartTag.

Touch’nGo Sdn Bhd is giving away 1,500 free RFID tags in a limited time only promotion, and PLUS currently offers complimentary RFID tags on a first come-first served basis (and while stocks last) at selected Fitment Centres in Penang and Kedah only. This is in conjunction with the #JomRFID campaign, especially during the Hutan Kampung-Sungai Dua the public pilot program kick-off.

RFID DIY — Besides going to the Fitment Centres, motorists can also purchase the RFID tag online and attach it to the headlight or windscreen themselves. The price is the same as at the Fitment Centre but you probably have to pay a delivery charge.

To redeem these complimentary RFID tags, customers are required to register as a PLUSMiles member at jomrfid.plusmiles.com.my. They will then receive a voucher code for redemption. After the full redemption of 1,500 complimentary RFID tags, 15,000 users will be able to receive 500 PLUSMiles reward points when purchasing an RFID tag at RM35 each at the selected Fitment Centres.

PLUS customers now have PUTRI to help them with their enquiries

New Porsche Centre Opens in Penang

Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP) has officially launched the new 3S Porsche Centre Penang on 16th March 2017. The 35,575 sq ft facility is located along Jalan Baru in Seberang Perai and can be accessed from Penang island with the use of the first Penang bridge.

The RM15 Million facility boasts impressive capabilities such as a showroom with a capacity to display 10 cars, two air-conditioned dialogue bays and an after sales reception equipped with a Carrera Lounge. The service section of the facility features 9 service bays and a warehouse for spare parts. A welcomed addition to the centre is the Porsche Driver’s Selection shop where visitors are able to shop for their favourite Porsche branded apparel, personal accessories and toy models.

Speaking of the new facility, Arnt Bayer, Chief Executive Officer of Simer Darby Auto Performance, said, “We are thrilled to be moving into Penang with our third Porsche Centre in Malaysia.” He later added, “This new 3S Porsche Centre will enable us to deliver a higher level of customer satisfaction and a unique ownership experience for all Porsche owners and enthusiasts in the northern region.”

Martin Limpert (above, right), Managing Director of Porsche Asia Pacific, said: “The new Porsche Centre Penang marks another milestone for the Porsche growth in Malaysia and is a bold statement of SDAP’s commitment. I strongly believe in the long-term potential for Porsche in Malaysia and I am convinced that this latest addition to the Porsche dealer network will support our growth path and assure an outstanding customer experience.”

If your pockets are deep enough to own a Porsche and you happen to be in Penang, take the time to visit this impressive facility to enjoy all the ammenities that the centre has to offer.