Penang ferry service

The Penang Ferry Service is the oldest ferry service within the State of Penang, Malaysia, connecting the city of George Town on Penang Island and Butterworth on the mainland. This cross-strait transit has been operational since 1894, making it the oldest ferry service in Malaysia. Its fleet of six ferries carries both passengers and automobiles across the Penang Strait daily; each roll-on/roll-off ferry could accommodate cars either on its lower deck or on both decks.

The first cross-strait ferry service between Penang Island and the mainland began in 1894. This regular service was initiated by Quah Beng Kee, an entrepreneur from Penang Island together with his 4 brothers forming a company named Beng Brothers. Originally a passenger-only service, the ferries were later refitted to carry automobiles in 1925. From 1924, the ferries were operated by the Penang Port Commission (formerly Penang Harbour Board), through its subsidiary, Penang Port Sdn Bhd.

In 2017, the Malaysian federal government began transferring the ferry service from Penang Port Sdn Bhd to Prasarana Malaysia, a government-owned entity which manages urban public transportation across Malaysia. Following the handover, the ferry service has been rebranded as Rapid Ferry. On 31 December 2020, Rapid Ferry ended its service after 3 years.

In 2021, Penang Port Sdn Bhd, which took over the ferry service from Prasarana Malaysia Bhd, began operating fast passenger boats between the mainland and the island, while one of the iconic ferries, Pulau Angsa, was used to transport only motorcycles and bicycles.

Ferry fleet
The seven ferries in the current fleet and ten retired ferries are named after islands in Malaysia.

Terminals
At present, the two ferry terminals - one each in George Town and Butterworth - are also run by Penang Port Commission.

Major events

 * 31 July 1988 – The collapse of the Sultan Abdul Halim ferry terminal bridge caused 32 fatalities, while 1,674 others were wounded.
 * 1 January 2021 – The Penang ferry service is terminated after 126 years and replaced with new fast boats.
 * 7 August 2023 – New Penang ferry was launched with replaces speedboats.

Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim (Mainland Side)
Weekdays: Weekends:
 * First ferry departure : 0630 hours
 * Last ferry departure : 2030 hours
 * Duration : 8-10mins
 * First ferry departure : 0700 hours
 * Last ferry departure : 2030 hours
 * Duration : 8-10mins

Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda (Island side)

 * First ferry departure : 0540 hours
 * Last ferry departure : 0040 hours
 * Duration : 15-20mins

Arrival Interval

 * 5.20 am to 10.00p.m. : 20 – 30 minutes with 4 ferries operational
 * 10.00 pm to 1.00a.m : 40 minutes with 1 ferry operational