But there are drawbacks. The seating is tight and close, with little space for social distancing. It can be claustrophobic and if you are prone to sea sickness, it might not be your cup of tea.
In a preview for pressmen and an entourage from the Penang Port Commission, 105 people boarded the Kenangan-2 boat at Swettenham Pier for a round trip to Butterworth and back this morning.
The all-passenger boats have a 200-person capacity, similar to the old car ferries, although those could accommodate about 30 vehicles and close to a hundred motorcycles as well.
The two fast ferries will be in service from Jan 1 and will be free for two weeks, after which a charge of RM1.20 per adult and 60 sen for children will apply.
The Riau-built ferries, on loan from the Langkawi Ferry Service, will run at 20-minute intervals during peak hours and 30-minute intervals during off-peak hours. An additional fast ferry is on standby. All the ferries have been endorsed by the Marine Department.
Sasedharan Vasudevan, chief executive of ferry operator Penang Port Sdn Bhd, said the service caters only to the 1.3 million pedestrians who use the ferry.
“We want to move people, not cars. In these fast ferries, you are in air-conditioned comfort and sheltered from the elements. Most importantly, you get there on time,” he said.
In the old ferries, lashing rain and winds could leave passengers wet. However, on a non-rainy day, it was a breezy, leisurely ride.
Sasedharan said there will be 40 round trips a day between 6.30am and 11.30pm, from Swettenham Pier in George Town and Pengkalan Sultan Abdul Halim, Butterworth.
The new vessels will be in service until June 2022 before making way for three “water buses” and two motorcycle transporters. In the meantime, motorcyclists, cyclists and trishaws will use the Pulau Angsa, the sole vehicular ferry to remain in service.
On the Butterworth side, those alighting the fast ferries will be received at the Singa Besar 9 pontoon, which is aligned parallel to the old ferry terminal ramp.
Upon alighting, passengers will be directed to a staircase leading to a bridge connecting the Penang Sentral bus and taxi hub.
Attendants will be on standby to help disabled persons to board the ferry, with wheelchair-bound persons to be carried into the boats.