The Weld Quay terminal, a notable landmark and gateway to Penang Island, should be redeveloped into a public transportation hub with the ferry, port and other transportation services integrated into one.

Local Government, Traffic Management and Environment Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the terminal had the potential of being transformed into the island’s main transportation hub with the future LRT or inter-city bus services integrated into it as well.

Responding to a statement by Penang Port Sdn Bhd’s (PPSB) managing director and CEO Datuk Ahmad Ibnihajar who said that PPSB would segregate its ferry services into a wholly-owned subsidiary by Thursday, he said: “The Finance Ministry should look at the ferry terminal in its re-development plan. The terminal, which is supposed to provide a welcoming ambience for tourists, looks run-down.

“A complete facelift is long overdue. The state government is willing to coorperate with the Federal Government in this initiative to transform Weld Quay.”

Ahmad said the move was instructed by the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) in the Prime Minister’s Department and had been approved by the Finance Ministry.

He added that the segregation of services would allow the ferry operator to receive better support from the Government as a public transportation services provider.

Chow said the current upgrading of the Weld Quay bus terminal by Rapid Penang was a good but was “only an interim solution” and that an overall and comprehensive upgrade was necessary as a long term measure.

“Together with the Tanjung City Marina and Swettenham Port expansion, Weld Quay could be a catalyst for growth in the harbour area,” he said.

The Star·Tuesday September 29, 2009
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2009/9/29/north/4793164&sec=North