Free Penang ferry for Thaipusam on Jan 31, Feb 1

There will be free Penang ferry rides on January 31 and February 1 for Thaipusam, the Penang Port Commission (SPPP) and Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) have announced.

According to SPPP chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin, the free rides are for both directions from Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim in Butterworth on the mainland to Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda on the island, with extended service till 3am on February 2.

The Penang ferry will operate from midnight till 11.30 pm on January 31 and February 1, while on February 2, it will run from midnight till 3am. The public is urged to plan their journeys and refer to the latest ferry schedule online and on SPPP and PPSB’s social media pages.

Yeoh said that the free ferry service not only aims to reduce congestion in Penang, but also encourages the use of public transport that’s more sustainable and efficient. Savings for ferry riders will be RM2 one way for those on foot and RM2.50 for two-wheelers.

It has been well received. Last year’s free ferry rides for Thaipusam recorded 25,670 passengers and 7,993 passengers with two-wheelers over three days.