The Penang ferry service operates between Butterworth and Weld Quay, catering to both passengers and vehicles, but often lacks sufficient seating for travelers, forcing many to stand. While some amenities are available, the focus on efficiency over passenger comfort leads to a stressful experience, compounded by poor practices from drivers. The document suggests prioritizing passenger seating and limiting vehicle engine use during loading and unloading to improve the service.

1.
Penang Ferry: A Tiring Ride
Penang ferry services serve both passengers and vehicles between Sultan Abdul Halim
terminal in Butterworth and Raja Tun Uda terminal in Weld Quay in Penang. There a few types
of ferries. Ones that carries vehicles. Others that carries vehicles and passengers. And there are
the ones that carries only vehicles. The existence of pivoting and flipping benches together with
toilet and snack stall facilities are appreciated. But riding on one of these ferries can be very
tiring.
Less Passenger Seats
It is especially so in the mixed passenger­vehicle ferries. There are few seats and it is on first
come, first seat basis.
Others have to stand for
the duration of the
journey. Why because the
comfort of passengers
seems to have a lesser importance in the economic criteria of the ferry authorities. So standing is
a voluntary expectation. But if VIPs are travelling regularly as passengers in these ferries, there
might definitely be a “bilik VIP” fully airconditioned with sofa set. But the rakyat can stand.
Other Stupidities
I noticed that certain moronic drivers of vehicles start their engines the moment the ferry is
nearing the terminals with passengers still standing around. So while they seat in their air
conditioned vehicles with the windows up, the passengers standing outside are engulfed with
carbon monoxide. And of course the ferry staffs as usual “tidak nampak apa­apa.” Selective
blindness.
©2015 by Thesigan Nadarajan

2.
Penang Ferry: A Tiring Ride
Malaysia has a long way to go in terms of customer rights and services. Profits can be gained
more if customers are treated like kings rather than beggars. Customers are the real VIPs. Here is
one suggestion as how to give a better ferry service to passengers.
Suggestion for Improvements
Maintain the upper deck for passengers with ample seats. Keep the cars down so that any idiotic
driver who start their car engines before unloading will not affect the wellbeing of the
passengers. “Harap ini boleh difahami.”
©2015 by Thesigan Nadarajan