SPPP urged to improve ferry services before raising fares

The Penang Port Commission (SPPP) has been urged to improve the quality of its ferry service before making any plans to increase the ferry fare.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng described as unexpected the move to increase the ferry fare by SPPP and hoped the ferry operator would not proceed with its plan before improving the ferry service.

"What the Penang people want is better (ferry) service. If there is no improvement in the service, but the fare is increased, it is not appropriate.

"So, the state government wants to see improvements in the ferry service," he told reporters at his CNY open house here today.

Among the VIPs who attended the open house were the Yang Dipertua Negeri of Penang, Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas and his wife, Toh Puan Majimor Shariff, and the two deputy chief ministers, Datuk Abdul Rashid Hasnon and Prof Dr P. Ramasamy.

SPPP is proposing to review its ferry fares with hikes of between 10 sen and RM20.

According to the proposal, the motorcycle fare will be raised from RM2 to RN3.50, for cars from RM7.70 to RM9, pedestrians from RM1.20 to RM2 and bicycles from RM1.40 to RM1.50.

The seasonal tickets for students would be increased to RM6 from RM3 and from RM30 to RM50 for adults.

The proposed new rates for two-axle four wheel lorries is RM20 (from RM13.20) and for two-axle six wheels lorries the fare will be raised to RM40 from RM27.50.

A circular on the proposal has been placed at the George Town and Butterworth ferry terminals.