New Penang Ferry from Butterworth to Georgetown by Ferry

As I was heading back to Singapore by flight instead of land, I headed back on the new Penang Ferry quite immediately to enjoy the little time I had left on the island. My purpose of this visit was to try out the new Penang Ferry anyway, so this immediate u-turn was also part of my excursion.

Butterworth Penang Sentral Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim (PSAH)

Heading back out of Penang Sentral to Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim (PSAH).

Heading down the ramp to Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim (PSAH).

The next new Penang Ferry was departing shortly at 1pm. Notably, the old Penang Fast Ferry schedule operated by Langkawi Ferry Services is still displayed, but the next ferry departure matches the new timetable.

Lifts are available to get passengers to the ground floor for the ferry terminal.

As the lift was full, I walked ahead to take the stairs instead.

Heading down the stairs. There are no escalators at Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim (PSAH).

While there is free travel on the new Penang Ferry for 1 month from 7 August 2023, free tickets must be collected from the ticket counter before proceeding.

Queuing to get my new Penang Ferry ticket.

The fare gates at Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim (PSAH) are also in operation.

The queue for the 1pm new Penang Ferry quickly extended out of the waiting area while I was still queuing for my ticket. This does not look good.

Getting my free ticket from the ticket counter. Simply tell the staff how many tickets are needed.

My free ticket for the new Penang Ferry from Butterworth Penang Sentral Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim (PSAH) to Georgetown Penang Island Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim (PSAH).

The queue by now had u-turned at the end of the outdoor area in the waiting area, and ended the fare gates.

I was the third person in queue at the fare gates, which the staff controlled to not scan tickets yet.

The boarding queue, fare gate queue, and ticket queue thus became one. Ticket sales also stopped for a moment to allow the queue to move first.

After the queue moved in to the air-conditioned waiting are, the staff at the fare gates allowed passengers to scan in again.

The air-conditioned waiting area at Butterworth Penang Sentral Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim (PSAH).

But alas, it was too late. The 1pm new Penang Ferry was full, and boarding closed with passengers still in the queue.

The next ferry was at 1.30pm. A 30-minute wait. Not too bad as compared to the temporary Penang Fast Ferry service by Langkawi Ferry Services, but not ideal for a key public transport link at all.

The crowd who could not board the 1pm ferry. I wouldn’t use the word “missed”, since all of us were at the terminal before departure time, but could not board as the ferry was full.

The queue quickly formed again at about 1.10pm, 20 minutes to departure, despite the queue line not being opened. Perhaps everyone was kiasu so as to not miss the next ferry, since all of us had already missed the first one.

Heading out of the air-conditioned waiting area to the new Penang Ferry dock.

Motorcycles are waiting beside for all passengers to board.

Heading down to the floating pontoon of the new Penang Ferry dock.

Boarding the new Penang Ferry.

The on-board Penang Port staff usher foot passengers into the air-conditioned cabin on board the new Penang Ferry.

The interior of the new Penang Ferry. Seats are laid out in a 3+2 configuration with a wide aisle. Seats face forward and reverse in the respective halves of the bi-directional vessel.

The legroom available on board the new Penang Ferry. This offers much comfort and sufficient space to store a small luggage in front of you or between your legs.

A safety instruction card is pasted on the seat back in front of every seat, detailing the evacuation routes, general alarm, and lifejacket donning instructions.

The builder logo of Damen Shipyards Group is displayed on the bulkhead.

This new RoPax ferry class is designated as Damen Ferry 3508.

Big windows adorn the length of the air-conditioned passenger cabin on board the new Penang Ferry, offering wide views of the Penang Strait.

The front deck and seats are arguably the most popular among passengers.

Looking out to the Penang Bridge from the Penang Strait.

Sailing across the Penang Strait.

Passing the opposing new Penang Ferry on reciprocal course.

Approaching Georgetown Penang Island Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda (PRTU).

Looking out to the old Penang Ferry from the new Penang Ferry.

Georgetown Penang Island Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda (PRTU)

There was an early queue formed with passengers preparing to disembark even before the new Penang Ferry had docked at Georgetown Penang Island Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda (PRTU). Perhaps everyone didn’t know that motorcycles and bicycles would be disembarking first.

I remained in my seat until the last person had disembarked to get some interior shots of the new Penang Ferry.

The seats of the new Penang Ferry remind me more of a bus.

Disembarking from the new Penang Ferry.

Taking the new pedestrian arrival path on the left.

Heading out onto the old sheltered walkway from Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda (PRTU) to Jetty Bus Terminal.

The path out of Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda (PRTU) is marked by new signs.

Taking the sheltered walkway out to the bus terminal.

Jetty Bus Terminal B

Jetty Bus Terminal B on the left is for Rapid Penang Bus Services 11, 12, 101, and CAT. The CAT bus is useful for passengers to get around the Georgetown UNESCO World Heritage Site for free.

Jetty Bus Terminal A

Jetty Bus Terminal A on the right is for Rapid Penang Bus Services 201, 202, 203, 204, 206, 301, 302, 303, 401, 401E, and 502.

Conclusion

Despite being on time for the 1pm ferry, the boarding queue was closed as the ferry was already full, causing me to wait for the next ferry at 1.30pm. Capacity is still an issue on the new Penang Ferry, and the new Penang Ferry can only take up to 250 passengers at once. Frequency is needed to solve the capacity issue.

The new Penang Ferry is comfortable with working air-conditioning and reasonably comfortable seats with a slight angle while still on hard plastic. Standing passengers are also allowed, which gives more passengers the chance to board the new ferry.

The speed of the new Penang Ferry is also notably faster than the old Penang Ferry, but this is limited by the current frequency especially at 30 minutes off peak.

Overall, the new Penang Ferry is better than the temporary service due to the better frequency and location of the jetty on Penang Island. This proves that it’s the level of service that is provided being more important for connectivity than just the superficial features that passengers enjoy. I’m sure everyone would want to board the next departing ferry as fast as possible, instead of waiting around in a comfortable lounge for 1 hour before the next ferry.

Frequency is currently physically limited as such due to only 1 new dock being installed at both terminals. Hopefully, another new dock will be added, allowing for all 4 ferries to be in use at a point in time.