Penang revives water taxi plans with fresh calls for private operators
Penang may soon see water taxi services connecting the island to the mainland. The Transport Ministry has invited private companies to submit fresh proposals for the project management. This comes after earlier attempts failed due to unmet safety and licensing rules.
The idea of water taxis in Penang is not new. In 2022, the Transport Ministry gave conditional approval for such a service. However, a pilot project was later cancelled when the appointed company failed to secure the required permits.
The Penang Island City Council had to scrap the Request for Proposal (RFP) after the company could not obtain an operating licence. Reports do not name any specific firms involved, only referring to them as 'the appointed company.' Another earlier proposal was also rejected for not meeting necessary standards. Now, the ministry is again calling for private operators to come forward. Any company interested must comply with strict safety and licensing rules before starting operations. Key details, such as landing points and proposed jetties, still need to be clarified. Approvals from multiple departments and agencies will also be mandatory.
The Transport Ministry remains open to reviewing new proposals for the water taxi service. Operators must meet all safety and regulatory conditions before any service can begin. The project’s success will depend on securing the necessary permits and approvals this time around.
