Rapid Penang CAT Bus from Penang Fast Ferry Swettenham Pier (Balai Polis Bus Stop) to KOMTAR
As compared to the previous Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda pier of the Penang Ferry, all Rapid Penang buses outside of the Penang Fast Ferry Swettenham Pier will terminate at Terminal Jetty. While a free bus transfer by Rapid Penang FERI Bus Service from Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT) is provided to get to Terminal Jetty, if you are heading to KOMTAR, walking over to the Balai Polis Bus Stop might save you 1 Rapid Penang CAT Bus Service ahead as it has departed from Terminal Jetty going in the correct direction already. Using this short walk will save you time instead of backtracking to Terminal Jetty first.
Walk from Penang Fast Ferry Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT) to Balai Polis Bus Stop
Coming out of the Penang Fast Ferry Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT), turn right towards the Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower.
At the roundabout around the Jubilee Clock Tower, take the barricaded road onto Lebuh Pantai or Beach Street. The road is not closed, it’s just to direct traffic on the one-way direction.
Cross the road to Balai Polis Lebuh Pantai or Beach Street Police Station.
The whole walk from the exit of Penang Fast Ferry Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT) to Balai Polis Bus Stop takes just 3 minutes with a distance of only 220 meters. Just look out for traffic when crossing the various roads and junctions.
Balai Polis Bus Stop
The Rapid Penang CAT Bus Service will pick passengers up from Balai Polis Bus Stop outside Balai Polis Lebuh Pantai or Beach Street Police Station.
The Rapid Penang CAT Bus Service operates free of charge for everybody. Simply hop on.
Rapid Penang CAT Bus Service (Central Area Transit)
The typical interior of Rapid Penang’s single deck buses.
Along the way to KOMTAR, the Rapid Penang CAT Bus makes a stop at St. George’s Anglican Church and Penang State Museum.
Passing by St. Xavier’s Institution.
Heading on to Jalan Penang.
Passing by Nasi Kandar Line Clear.
Making a brief stop at Penang Road Bus Stop. This is a popular bus stop for interchanging and visiting Chowrasta Market ahead.
The Rapid Penang CAT Bus does not serve Chowrasta Market bus stop on the onward trip towards KOMTAR II, only stopping on the return trip towards Jetty.
Passing by the former Penang Tram tracks, almost 100 years since it last ran.
Passing by Chowrasta Market.
Passing by Lebuh Kimberley.
Turning on to Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong towards KOMTAR.
Turning in to KOMTAR.
Travel agents selling bus tickets have offices at Prangin Mall, which is also a boarding point for some bus and van services.
Heading straight under KOMTAR to KOMTAR II bus stop. The Rapid Penang CAT Bus does not turn into the platforms of KOMTAR Bus Terminal.
KOMTAR II Bus Stop
The Rapid Penang CAT Bus journey from Balai Polis (Penang Fast Ferry Swettenham Pier) to KOMTAR II took me only 8 minutes. The KOMTAR II Bus Stop is located on the main road beside KOMTAR Bus Terminal just a few meters away.
Conclusion
Boarding the Rapid Penang CAT Bus from Balai Polis bus stop is a massive time saving as compared to backtracking to Jetty with the Rapid Penang FERI Bus and then changing to another bus for KOMTAR, whether it’s a regular paid bus service or this free Rapid Penang CAT Bus.
Penang Port and Rapid Penang should be promoting this alternative more aggressively to speed up travel time for passengers and ease the transfer jams at Jetty, if any. This alternative has no change in any bus route but only offers more convenience to foot passengers with little to no effort.