Transport Minister Anthony Loke says Penang’s proposed water taxi service is on hold pending resolution of technical and safety approvals from multiple agencies.
GEORGE TOWN: Plans for a water taxi service in Penang are currently on hold due to unresolved technical and safety issues.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke clarified that any maritime service must undergo a stringent application process involving his ministry and the Marine Department.
“It also requires technical approval from the Penang Port Commission,” Loke said during a media briefing on Monday.
He added that a water taxi service involves landing points under the Marine Department’s jurisdiction.
These safety aspects are regulated in cooperation with the state government due to land and logistical issues.
The government welcomes private sector investment in such a service provided all licensing and safety requirements are fully met.
The Penang Island City Council previously cancelled the Request for Proposal for the water taxi service.
This followed the appointed company’s failure to secure necessary approvals from the Ministry of Transport.
In a separate development, Loke has directed the Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) project contractor to maintain a continuous traffic mitigation plan.
He said the plan must be implemented with local authorities and the state government to alleviate road congestion.
“I therefore ask for the public’s continued patience,” Loke said.
He noted that a major construction project of this scale will inevitably narrow roads and cause serious congestion.
The 29.5-kilometre Mutiara Line LRT project will feature 21 stations.
It is designed to enhance connectivity between Penang Island and the mainland to reduce road congestion.
The main alignment will run from Penang South Reclamation-Island A to Penang Sentral and Komtar Station.
Train services are scheduled to operate on an alternating schedule along the route.
