The Ferry And Nostalgic Penang Luring Tourist

I thought I was not going to write anything about the news that vehicular ferry service will be scrapped when the widening project of Penang Bridge is completed in September. Read also Mental Jog about this issue.

The ferry service in Penang is not just a means of connection the island and the mainland. It also plays its role as a tourist attraction, domestic and foreign. The Penang ferry are unlike the Langkawi ferry. It has its own nostalgic value that should be retain for as part of the historical heritage of not only Penang but Malaysia in general. The ferry has been synonym to Malaysia and tourism. The ferry service began operation in 1920, under the management of a Chinese-owned company. However, today, it is jointly operated by the Penang Port Commission (PPC) and Penang Port Sdn Bhd.

I might not be right but the design of the Penang ferry has its own aesthetic value. I have not seen another ferry of the same shape.

The Star reports CM Guan Eng regards the ferry as an icon for Penang and should not be scrapped even after the upgrading of the bridge is completed. “I don’t agree with the move. I think they can’t just stop the sea link,” he told reporters after attending the Chinese Town Hall Chinese Cultural flag-raising ceremony yesterday. -The Star.

Taking the ferry from the mainland and vice versa is an alternative of using the bridge. Not everybody has the opportunity and facilities to cross to the other side using the bridge considering toll charges, time consuming and traffic jam during peak hours. Scrapping the ferry will give all the opportunities to Lembaga Lebuhraya to increase toll charges at their whim and fancies.

Hong Kong is popular with its Star Ferry plying between Kowloon and mainland Hong Kong. Any body visiting Hong Kong will not miss taking a ride (or sailing?) on the Star Ferry. It was reported the ferry service appeared in a local newspaper dated 28th December 1888: “Steam launch ‘Morning Star’ runs daily as a ferry boat between Pedders Wharf and Tsim Sha Tsui. the ferry service still remains even after the opening of the Cross Channel tunnel in 1972.

Locally when someone tells us that he is going to Penang, his itenary will not be complete if the ferrey ride was not experienced. The slow sailing route across the channel gives opportunity to see the ships anchoring, the Penang Hill with Komtar in the foreground.

Penang is one of the states in Malaysia that can attract tourist through these historical residue left behind by the British. There use to be a tram service on Penang Island and I can vaguely remember taking a ride on one in those days when I visited the island in the early 60s. The track has been unearthed during road upgrading earthwork in 2004.

Penang was one of the first urban centres in Southeast Asia to operate steam trams, horse trams, electric trams and trolleybuses. When the Municipal Commission established its own electrical supply, it took over the tram service and started the electric trams in George Town in 1906. This gave the local population excellent public transport around George Town, with one line going up to Ayer Itam. In the late 1920s, the Municipality replaced trams with trolley-buses, experimenting for a while with re-conditioned double-deckers from London Transport! - arecabooks.

Tourist visiting Kowloon in Hong Kong will not miss taking a ride on the tram operated by the Hong Kong Tramways Limited.

Hongkong Tramways Limited, a member of the Wharf Group of companies, has been operating tram service in Hong Kong since 1904. Hongkong Tramways is committed to providing passengers with a high level of service, with continuous enhancements in service quality and tram facilities. It has always been our goal to ensure your journey, whether long or short, to be an economical, convenient and safe one. - Hong Kong Tramways Limited : The Company.

So will Penang too revive its tram service as another alternative to public transport on the Pearl of The Orient. There has been suggestions to revive the service part as a tourist attraction and part compensating the needs of public transport. Read here .

It was reported recently that Penang government intend to build underground railway tracks for public transport. It will be a long term plan to complete Penang's transportation network. It will complement the public transport system on the island and can integrate with the existing ferry service too.

The actual question is, should the ferry service be srcapped? Ask the public I think they will answer no. The operater can come up with constructive and ideas and ways to put back the operation in the black. Who knows having cultural performances and entertainment on the ferry ride can attract more passengers instead of the boring drive along the Penang Bridge. Or put up seasonal exhibits on one corner of the ferry and people will be lured to visit even though not to cross to the other side of Penang and for this purpose PPSB can sell special minimal entrance ticket for visitors who just want to visit the exhibition. So it will be a residual income instead of the normal ferry fare. While attending the exhibition, visitors can enjoy the sea breeze and the view of the Penang Channel. This are just an example.