Rapid Ferry
Rapid Ferry is a shuttle ferry service within the State of Penang, Malaysia, connecting the city of George Town on Penang Island and Butterworth on the mainland. This cross-strait transit has been operational since 1894, making it the oldest ferry service in Malaysia. Its fleet of six ferries carries both passengers and automobiles across the Penang Strait daily; each roll-on/roll-off ferry could accommodate cars either on its lower deck or on both decks.
The first cross-strait ferry service between Penang Island and the mainland began in 1894. Originally a passenger-only service, the ferries were later refitted to carry automobiles in 1925. From 1924, the ferries were operated by the Penang Port Commission, through its subsidiary, Penang Port Sdn Bhd.
In 2017, the Malaysian federal government began transferring the ferry service from Penang Port Sdn Bhd to Prasarana Malaysia, a government-owned entity which manages urban public transportation across Malaysia. Following the handover, the ferry service has been rebranded as Rapid Ferry.
Ferry fleet
The seven ferries in the current fleet and ten retired ferry are named after islands in Malaysia.| Status | Upper deck configuration* | Name | Year built | Deadweight tonnage | IMO ship identification number | Photograph |
| Retired | Passenger | Pulau Labuan | 1971 | 139 | 7038408 | |
| Out of service | Mixed | Pulau Rawa | 1975 | 262 | 7343736 | |
| In service | Passenger | Pulau Talang Talang | 1975 | 262 | 7343748 | |
| In service | Mixed | Pulau Undan | 1975 | 262 | 7343724 | |
| Out of service | Mixed | Pulau Rimau | 1980 | 100 | 7911076 | |
| In service | Mixed | Pulau Angsa | 1981 | 100 | 8010491 | |
| In service | Mixed | Pulau Kapas | 1981 | 280 | 8101082 | |
| In service | Vehicle | Pulau Payar | 2002 | 440 | 9254393 | |
| In service | Vehicle | Pulau Pinang | 2002 | 440 | 9275244 |
* All ferries carry/carried only vehicles on their lower decks
Terminals
At present, the two ferry terminals - one each in George Town and Butterworth - are also run by Prasarana Malaysia.| Map | Location | Terminal | Image |
| George Town | Raja Tun Uda | ||
| Butterworth | Sultan Abdul Halim |
Major events
- 31 July 1988 - The collapse of the Sultan Abdul Halim ferry terminal bridge caused 32 fatalities, while 1,674 others were wounded.
Ferry schedule
Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim (Mainland Side)
- First ferry departure : 0520 hours
- Last ferry departure : 0000 hours
- Duration : 15-20mins
- Hotline : 604-3102 377
Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda (Island side)
- First ferry departure : 0540 hours
- Last ferry departure : 0040 hours
- Duration : 15-20mins
- Hotline : 604-2102 363
Arrival Interval
- 5.20 am to 10.00p.m. : 20 – 30 minutes with 4 ferries operational
- 10.00 pm to 1.00a.m : 40 minutes with 1 ferry operational
Ferry rates