Rapid Ferry
Rapid Ferry is a shuttle 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]
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Locale | ![]() |
---|---|
Waterway | Penang Strait |
Transit type | Passenger and automobile ferry |
Owner | ![]() |
Began operation | 1894 |
System length | 3 km (1.9 mi) |
No. of lines | 1 |
No. of vessels | 6 |
No. of terminals | 2 |
The first cross-strait ferry service between Penang Island and the mainland began in 1894.[1] 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][3][4] Following the handover, the ferry service has been rebranded as Rapid Ferry.
Ferry fleet
The seven ferries in the current fleet and ten retired ferry are named after islands in Malaysia.[5]
Status | Upper deck configuration* | Name | Year built | Deadweight tonnage | IMO ship identification number | Photograph |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Retired | Passenger | Pulau Labuan | 1971 | 139 | 7038408 | ![]() |
Out of service | Mixed | Pulau Rawa | 1975 | 262 | 7343736 | |
In service | Passenger | Pulau Talang Talang | 1975 | 262 | 7343748 | ![]() |
In service | Mixed | Pulau Undan | 1975 | 262 | 7343724 | ![]() |
Out of service | Mixed | Pulau Rimau | 1980 | 100 | 7911076 | ![]() |
In service | Mixed | Pulau Angsa | 1981 | 100 | 8010491 | ![]() |
In service | Mixed | Pulau Kapas | 1981 | 280 | 8101082 | ![]() |
In service | Vehicle | Pulau Payar | 2002 | 440 | 9254393 | ![]() |
In service | Vehicle | Pulau Pinang | 2002 | 440 | 9275244 | ![]() |
* All ferries carry/carried only vehicles on their lower decks
Terminals
At present, the two ferry terminals - one each in George Town and Butterworth - are also run by Prasarana Malaysia.[3]
Map | Location | Terminal | Image |
---|---|---|---|
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Raja Tun Uda | ![]() | |
![]() |
Sultan Abdul Halim | ![]() |
Major events
- 31 July 1988 – The collapse of the Sultan Abdul Halim ferry terminal bridge caused 32 fatalities, while 1,674 others were wounded.[7]
Ferry schedule
Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim (Mainland Side)
- First ferry departure : 0520 hours
- Last ferry departure : 0000 hours
- Duration : 15-20mins
- 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
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Pedestrian
Type | Rate (in Malaysian Ringgit (RM)) |
---|---|
Adult | RM1.20 |
Children (between 5 and 12 years old | RM0.60 |
Season ticket (pedestrians) – valid for two months from date of issue
Type | Rate (in Malaysian Ringgit (RM)) |
---|---|
Adult | RM30.00 |
Special passengers
Type | Rate (in Malaysian Ringgit (RM)) |
---|---|
Students in school uniform | RM0.60 |
Holders of Kad Orang Kurang Upaya (Disabled Person Card) | Free |
Vehicles
Type of vehicles | Rate (in Malaysian Ringgit (RM)) |
---|---|
Bicycle | RM1.40 |
Motorcycle (inclusive of pillion rider) | RM2.00 |
Trishaw/tricycle | RM3.00 |
Motorcar (including station wagon, four-wheel drive, three-wheel commercial vehicle, motorcycle with side car) | RM7.70 |
Lorry (2 axles with 4 wheels) | RM13.20 |
Lorry (2 axles with 6 wheels) | RM27.50 |
References
- Cheah, Jin Seng (2013). Penang: 500 Early Postcards. Editions Didier Millet. ISBN 9789671061718.
- "Penang attractions painted on two ferries - Metro News | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 2017-09-22.
- "MMC eyes handover of loss-making Penang ferry ops to Prasarana in 2 months". The Edge Markets. 2017-05-11. Retrieved 2017-09-22.
- "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.
- Shipping Data - Ship Reference
- "Off-limit zone held waiting folk: Captain", New Straits Times, 1 Mar 1989
- "Still traumatised after 29 years - Nation | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 2018-03-01.
External links
- Photos of the Penang-Butterworth Ferries, by Peter Loud
- Photos of Penang Ferry
- Penang Port Sdn. Bhd.