GEORGE TOWN: Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB), which operates the ferry service, has been instructed to adhere to the standing operating procedure and keep six ferries running daily from 7am to 11pm and beyond if necessary.
"We have eight ferries, one will be in the dock for servicing and the other on standby.
"The PPC board has instructed PPSB to operate all the six ferries and if after 11pm there is still a long queue they should continue operating until the congestion is cleared.
"We have received countless complaints about the PPSB ferry service, especially during school holidays, weekends and public holidays," she said during a RM50,000 cheque presentation by the state MCA to the Methodist Boys' School at the school's premises here.
Tan said it was PPSB's social obligation to provide the service, even though the company was operating at a loss of about RM13 million annually.
She also urged PPSB staff to help control traffic at Pengkalan Weld, where motorists often jumped queue.
"The holding area at the Raja Tun Uda ferry terminal on the island has been reduced to half due to the Rapid Penang buses being parked there.
"The understanding for loaning the holding area to RapidPenang was that it was to be temporary but the buses have been there for two years now.
"Unless the holding problem is solved, we will continue to face traffic congestion at the ferry terminal area," said Tan, who is also a member of the MCA central working committee.
Tan said commuters who were facing problems or wanted to lodge complaints should call the PPSB hotlines at 04-2102363 (Penang Island) or 04-3102377 (Butterworth) or email the board at penangport.gov.my.
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