Penang Port Sdn Bhd's (PPSB) plan to reduce the ferry service between George Town and Butterworth by five hours drew instant flak from the Consumer Association of Penang (CAP), which described the move as "very inconsiderate."

PPSB plans to re-schedule the present 24-hour ferry service to between 5.30am and 12.30am from July 1 .

In confirming this, a ferry operations officer said that PPSB top management decided to cut the operation hours to reduce costs by as much as RM500,000.

The decision was taken recently in the view of escalating prices of fuel, manpower and maintenance of ferries.

CAP president SM Mohamed Idris said the reduction would cause hardship to locals and visitors as well.

He said the service was much needed by the public between 12.30am to 5.30am daily, especially by commuters traveling in express buses to Penang island and Butterworth from other parts of the country.

Pure commercial gain

These express buses arrive in the island or Butterworth in the wee hours of the morning.

"These commuters, including senior citizens, disabled people, women and children, cannot be expected to wait until 5.30am to board a ferry.

"PPSB cannot shirk its social responsibility for pure commercial gain," he said.

The PPSB officer said only four passengers and two cars are boarding each ferry between 1am and 6am.

"We can save a lot by taking a break," he said.

However, Mohamed Idris said instead of taking a break, PPSB should stagger the ferry services by a two-hourly basis.

"Perhaps this could be more viable and cost effective while not forsaking public interests and benefits," he said.

PPSB has five double-decker vehicular ferries and three vehicular-cum-passenger ferries.

On average, approximately 15,000 foot passengers, 6,000 motorcycles, 4,000 cars, 350 lorries and 1000 bicycles board the ferries to ply the 2.5 nautical miles journey across the North Channel off Straits of Malacca between Pengkalan Sultan Abdul Halim in Georgetown and Pengkalan Raja Tun Uda in Butterworth.

Over the years, PPSB had sold off 14 of its old vehicular-cum-passenger ferries to tour companies.

As many motorists prefer to use the Penang Bridge, due to the long waiting time to board ferries and increase of bus services between the island and the mainland, the PPSB ferry revenue had dwindled in recent years.

At present PPSB spends nearly RM500 in operation cost and makes only RM300 in revenue on per ferry trip basis.

To reduce the loss, PPSB managing director Ahmad Ibni Hajar recently announced that the company was considering increasing ferry fare for foot adult passengers from present 60 sen per person to RM2.

No change for 30 years

Chief Minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon already said that the state government was in favour of the proposed hike.

Deputy Transport Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Azlan Sultan Abu Bakar said federal government was considering the request made by the state government to increase ferry fare for foot passengers.

"Ferry fare has not changed for 30 years. Whatever the government's decision, it will be for mutual benefits and interests of both PPSB and commuters," he told newsmen here.

In an instant response, North Malaya Shipping Agents Association president Shaik Ibrahim supported the fare hike proposal.

CAP president, however, disagreed with the proposed increase, especially when the ferry service had not shown any improvement for the past 30 years.

"PPSB should cut down their excessive administration expenses to reduce its losses," he said.

Ferry service is a symbol of Penang, local pride and tourist attraction. Any decision, good or bad, taken on ferry services is bound to affect all Penang residents.

The ferry also has a tragic history when the old Butterworth terminal collapsed in July 31, 1988.

On that fateful day, the Sultan Abdul Halim terminal's upper wooden-platform, which held passengers waiting to board the old double-decker ferries, collapsed killing 32 people, injuring over 500 others and damaging vehicles waiting below the platform to board the ferries.

ATHI VEERANGGAN is malaysiakini's Penang-based stringer