During Thaipusam, many devotees are expected to use public transport to reduce traffic congestion as free ferry rides and shuttle bus services are made available. This move is a boon not only for locals but also for those coming from other states, said factory technician R. Suresh, 41, who believes that it will not only encourage the use of public transport but also reduce the traffic congestion on the way to the temples in Penang. Living in Bagan Ajam on Penang mainland, Suresh finds the 50-hour free ferry rides extremely beneficial. After arriving on Penang island via the ferry, people can take the feeder bus service to reach the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Hilltop Temple and Nattukotai Chettiar Temple in Jalan Kebun Bunga, both services being free of charge during this period.
For the first time ever, free ferry rides will be available from 12.01am on Jan 24 to 2am on Jan 26 during the Thaipusam celebrations. Upon reaching the ferry terminal on Penang island, the public can utilize the free shuttle bus service from Rapid Penang to reach the temples in Jalan Kebun Bunga. The feeder buses will operate from 2pm on Jan 24 to 1am on Jan 25 and from 5.30am on Jan 25 to 1am on Jan 26, with Thaipusam falling on Jan 25.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke, who announced the initiative, said that these measures were part of the government’s effort to reduce traffic congestion and promote the use of public transport. The free services aim to facilitate movement and will also be extended to other festivities, as announced from time to time. The modernisation exercise of Penang includes the use of four new ferries, each costing RM18mil, to ferry commuters across the North Channel since last year, with each new ferry able to accommodate 250 passengers plus 50 two-wheelers.
In a separate development, Loke mentioned that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim instructed the Transport Ministry to table a Cabinet memo on the state’s Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, which will be presented to the Cabinet for approval. The Penang LRT is expected to begin earlier than planned, following an agreement between the federal and state governments to build the LRT depot on existing land rather than the originally planned reclaimed area in Penang’s south. The LRT line will now be extended to Tanjung Bungah and include the construction of 27 multi-storey stations along the 29km route, spanning from Penang International Airport to Komtar in the first phase.
