Penang ferry rides will be free for Malaysian citizens on Sunday, 8 November, in conjunction with Deepavali. The Penang Port Commission (PPC) and Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) announced the offer on Thursday, and it covers crossings between the island and the mainland from both terminals.
PPC chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin said the free service will run according to the latest ferry timetable. Passengers can board at Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim in Butterworth or Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda in George Town, The Star reported, and are advised to plan their journeys in advance and check the official PPC and PPSB websites and social media channels for the latest schedule.
The zero fare is limited to pedestrians and riders of two-wheeled vehicles, which takes in motorcycles and bicycles, paultan.org said. Malaysians must show a MyKad or MyKid at the terminal to travel free, and the exemption holds in both directions on the day.
Yeoh said the initiative reflects the continued commitment of both bodies to facilitating public travel, particularly during festive seasons, while helping to ease traffic congestion in Penang.
Figures from last year’s Deepavali show the scale the service carries. The ferry moved 7,780 foot passengers and 1,518 two-wheeled vehicles in both directions across the celebration, the chairman said. Demand has been climbing since. Passenger numbers rose 5.61 per cent between January and September this year against the same stretch of 2025.
The two terminals sit at either end of the crossing between the mainland and the island. Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim serves Butterworth on the mainland side, while Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda opens onto George Town. Both carry commuters, students and visitors making the short trip across the channel each day.
The commission regulates the ferry service and the port company runs it. Both put their name to the offer, and both are directing passengers to the same timetable and the same channels for updates.
The free rides apply for that Sunday only, which leaves travellers a few days to plan. Sailings follow the weekend and public holiday timetable issued by the operator.
Yeoh advised passengers to travel early and to confirm sailing times before setting out. The full schedule is posted on the PPC and PPSB websites and their social media pages, and the operator says updates there will carry any change to the published times.
