Penang govt ready to retain ferry service, despite losses

GEORGE TOWN: If given the green light to take over the ferry service, the Penang government will continue with the service even if plying the Penang Channel causes losses.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said his administration will bear any losses incurred in the running of the service which is synonymous with Penang.
He described the ferry service as “iconic” and noted it was part of the state’s heritage, adding that the state had already taken the issue up with the Federal Government but there was no reply so far.
“Nothing, no response, there were meetings held but we are still waiting for progress,” he told press conference today when asked about the issue.
The Lim administration has offered to take over the loss-making business from the Penang Port Commission (PPC) pending federal approval.
The conditions for the takeover include the state government be free from losses accrued by the operation so far.
The state also wants to be granted 30 water taxi or ferry licenses if the takeover succeeds while all non-management staff will be retained.