Penang’s ferry services carried more passengers in the first half of 2026, with ridership climbing 7.28 per cent compared to the same six-month stretch last year.
The growth builds on a strong start to the year. The Penang Port Commission reported 810,053 ferry passengers in the first quarter alone, a 9.36 per cent increase over the same period in 2025, according to The Star.
Penang Port Commission chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin told Malay Mail that June alone saw 262,424 ferry users, breaking down to 199,861 pedestrians, 61,941 motorcyclists, and 622 cyclists.
“These figures clearly reflect the sustained demand for ferry services as a key mode of public transportation in the state,” Yeoh said in a statement on 22 August.
To push ridership higher, the commission announced free ferry rides during the upcoming Merdeka celebrations. The initiative aims to draw both residents and visitors onto the service and raise awareness about urban transport, as noted by Astro Awani.
The Merdeka free rides follow a pattern the commission has used in past festive periods to introduce new riders to the service. Yeoh said the programme not only eases movement for residents and tourists but also gives the public a chance to experience Penang’s ferry firsthand.
The ferry remains the main link between the island and the mainland, carrying passengers from various states and countries. Yeoh described the growing diversity of riders as proof of the ferry’s role in supporting the local economy, promoting cultural exchange, and boosting domestic tourism.
The commission plans to raise ridership further through better service frequency, cleanliness, and safety standards. “We are committed to ensure that Penang’s ferry services remain the preferred choice of public transportation that is comfortable, safe, and community-friendly,” Yeoh added.
