Reconsider proposed ferry fare hike, Penang tells Putrajaya

GEORGE TOWN, May 11 — Penang wants Putrajaya to reconsider the proposed ferry fare hike in light of the country’s current economic situation, as a price increase will discourage the use of public transportation in the state.

“The ferry is under the jurisdiction of the Transport Ministry and we hope the ministry will not approve the application for a fare hike,”  state transport, public works and utilities executive councillor Lim Hock Seng (DAP-Bagan Jermal) said today when replying to an oral question on the ferry fare at the Penang state legislative assembly.

He believed that if the ministry approved the hike, it will only cause extra burden on the people and discourage use of public transportation.

There was a proposal by the Penang Port Commission (PPC) for the ferry fare to be increased between 10 sen to RM1.50 across the range for bicycles, pedestrians, motorcycles and vehicles using the service.

The port authority, on April 30, reportedly decided not to increase the fares for now.

PPC chairman Tan Sri Dr Chua Soi Lek was quoted in Bernama as saying it was not a right time to increase the fare hike.

Despite Dr Chua’s announcement, both Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan Nasional assemblymen continued to discuss the proposed fare hike in the August House.

Lim also touched on the topic of the possibility of the state taking over the ferry operations after R.S.N. Rayer (DAP-Seri Delima) asked what would happen to the employees if the Penang government took control.

“We would absorb all the employees in Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) if we were to take over but we will need to discuss about those in top management,” he said.

As for the losses faced by PPSB, Lim said the company reportedly faces losses of between RM17 million to RM20 million a year.

He attributed the losses to rising fuel cost that was up 7.4 per cent annually since 2005 and the costs involved in the development of the North Butterworth Container Terminal.

There are a total five motions, 75 oral questions and 604 written questions submitted for this assembly sitting.