Old ferries can be turned into a tourist draw, says transport minister

Old ferries can be turned into a tourist draw, says transport minister

Wee Ka Siong says the new ferries to be ordered will be air-conditioned and will arrive in 18 months.

The old ferries will be turned into museums to attract tourists, says Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong.
PETALING JAYA:
Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong says his ministry is open to the use of old iconic ferries as a tourist attraction. This comes after he said earlier that Penang will be bidding adieu to its old ferries.

In a statement, he said the old ferries could act as museums but will no longer be used as a mode of public transport.

He said the old ferries will be replaced by new comfortable, air conditioned and faster vessels, which will be acquired by Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB).

“The old ferries used to transport cars will not be used any more,” he said.

For the next two months, Wee added old ferries will still be used to transport two-wheelers, including bicycles.

Wee Ka Siong.

“While waiting for the new vessels to be purchased, two will be rented from Prasarana to transport passengers,” he added.

The new vessels, he added, are only for passengers and to carry motorcycles or bicycles.

“All new vessels will arrive within 18 months,” he said, adding that it will cost RM30 million to purchase the water buses and vehicle transporters.

In a separate statement earlier, PPSB had said pedestrians will not be charged any fee to use the speedboat ferries for two weeks, beginning Jan 1.

Currently, pedestrians pay RM1.20 for a two-way ride on the ferry.

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