Traders at old ferry terminal not forgotten

Passengers disembarking from one of the fast boats at the Sultan Abdul Halim ferry terminal in Butterworth, Penang, on the first day of operation. — Photos: ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star

EXISTING traders at the Raja Tun Uda ferry terminal on Penang island will have priority to get a lot each at Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal where the new fast boat ferry service for pedestrians now operates from.

Penang Port Commission chairman Datuk Tan Teik Cheng gave assurance that while the old ferry terminal is being upgraded, traders there would not be neglected.

“Please give Penang Port Sdn Bhd two weeks to prepare the new place at Swettenham Pier.

“About 10 traders from the old terminal will be given priority to get space to do business on the upper floor of the pier terminal, near the departure hall for the new speed boats.

“They have contributed much throughout the 40 years of the old ferry terminal’s operations and we appreciate them, ” Tan told reporters at the pier yesterday.

He said taxi drivers will also get space at the new location.

On the new rental rate for traders, Tan urged them not to worry as it would be almost free at the new place.

“They will need to only pay for basic maintenance, ” he said.

Tan said once the old terminal upgrading is completed, the traders would shift back.

When Covid-19 pandemic caused the movement control order (MCO), cruise tourism stopped completely and without cruise ships berthing at Swettenham Pier, convenience store manager Irene Ong had to shutter her business.

For more than half the year, the store’s shutter was closed and the terminal was left quiet.

Yesterday, with the start of the fast boat ferry service at the pier, Ong reopened her business and was delighted by the patronage.

“Today is my first day reopening since the MCO began to welcome commuters of the new ferry service and the response is positive, ” she said.

Ong said she would cater to new demands by customers, who are commuters and no longer tourists.

“I used to sell a lot of souvenirs but locals using the ferries will want more drinks and snacks.

“I’ve arranged with suppliers for more breakfast goodies and have set my operation time from 6.30am to 11pm to match the ferry operation hours.

“With the constant flow of commuters on the fast boat ferries, I’m confident to get consistent business throughout the day, ” she said.

So far, her store is the only one on the upper floor of the pier terminal, next to the ferry’s departure hall.

Ong said with traffic pouring in, more businesses are expected to thrive within the terminal and benefit from commuters all year long.