Penang Port Commission (PPC) chairman Tan Teik Cheng said the discount was to ease the burden of commuters in line with the Malaysian Family spirit as they have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The ferry is among the important public transportation services in Penang, with almost 600,000 motorcyclists and cyclists using it annually in the past and 300,000 using it this year to travel between the mainland and island.

“With the discount, PPC will subsidise RM58,333 monthly or RM350,000 for the six-month period as part of our effort to ease the burden of motorcyclists and cyclists,” he said at a press conference today.

Motorcyclists are now charged RM2 and cyclists RM1.20 per trip.

Meanwhile, he said the federal government today handed over RM15 million to Penang Port Sdn Bhd and will give another RM15 million next year for the purchase of five new ferries.

“The federal government has promised and agreed to channel RM30 million for the purchase of ferries to replace two iconic ferries, one of which is still in operation to ferry motorcyclists and cyclists while the other is used as support.

“Once the new ferries arrive and are commissioned, the two iconic ferries will be handed over to selected companies through open tenders to be turned into a floating museum and restaurant,” he said.

While PPC is offering discounts on the Ro-Ro ferries, the Penang state government has offered free rides on the ferry for pedestrians since July 1 and this will continue until the end of next year.

The free ferry rides are, however, limited to 65,000 tickets every month.