Penang Port offers free ferry rides for Malaysians on Jan 31 and Feb 1 for Thaipusam, with extended hours to ease festive traffic.
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Port Commission and Penang Port Sdn Bhd will provide free ferry services for Malaysians on January 31 and February 1 for the Thaipusam festival.
The free fare applies to two-way travel between the Sultan Abdul Halim Terminal in Butterworth and the Raja Tun Uda Terminal on the island.
Services will be extended until 3 am on February 2, with operations running from midnight on January 31 to 11.30 pm on February 1.
“The public is encouraged to plan their journeys in advance,” said SPPP chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin.
He advised checking the latest schedules on the official SPPP and PPSB websites or social media platforms.
Yeoh said the initiative reflects their commitment to facilitate travel for Malaysians during festive seasons.
The free service also aims to reduce traffic congestion and promote sustainable public transport.
During last year’s Thaipusam, the ferry service recorded 25,670 foot passengers and 7,993 two-wheeled vehicles over three days.
These figures contributed to a yearly total of 3.13 million foot passengers and 784,065 two-wheeled vehicles.
“Through this free ferry service, users will enjoy one-way savings of RM2 for foot passengers and RM2.50 for two-wheeled vehicles,” Yeoh said.
To mark SPPP’s 70th anniversary, the commission is also sponsoring a ‘Kids Go Free | Thaipusam Special’ campaign.
The programme offers free entry to the Penang Ferry Museum for Malaysian children aged 12 and below from January 31 to February 2.
