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Transportation in Penang is not a big problem. You can easily travel within and
outside Malaysia as Penang is well-connected by road, rail, sea and air. Not only
is Penang’s air and train service good, the seaways also offer good transportation
in Penang.
Penang Roadways
There are well maintained bridges, roads and highways in Penang. The best means
of public transport are buses and taxis. Penang boasted of an efficient public
transport network right up to the 1970s. Electric trams, trolleybuses and double-deckers
used to ply the streets of Penang. But today, the Penang bus services are generally
unsystematic and do not have a reputation of reliability.
However, there are two main bus terminals for express buses which travel out
of the state. One is located at the ferry terminal in Province Wellesley, and
a newer one at Sungai Nibong on the island. Taxis in Penang have not conformed
to the meter system as exhorted by the federal authorities.
Penang Railways
Railways are one of the transportation in Penang though trains are not a popular
mode of transportation due to their low speed Butterworth is serviced by the
Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) or Malayan Railway West Coast line which runs from
Padang Besar on the Malaysia-Thailand Border in Perlis to Singapore. Senandung
Malam is the daily night express running from Kuala Lumpur to Haadyai via Butterworth.
Penang Airways
International flights are available to London, Hong Kong, Singapore, Medan,
Taipei, Bangkok, Bangalore, Seoul, Riau, Xiamen and Guangzhou at the Penang
International Airport (PEN). The airport serves as the northern gateway to Malaysia.
Bayan Lepas International Airport (IATA: PEN, ICAO: WMKP), also known as Penang
International Airport, is situated in the Bayan Lepas area of Penang, Malaysia.
The airport facilities include an incoming and outgoing duty-free shop, restaurant,
bank, foreign exchange office and car rental.
Penang Seaways
Ferry and seaports are available to make transportation in Penang easier. Penang
ferry is provided by the Penang Ferry Service that connects George Town and
Butterworth. The Port of Penang is operated by the Penang Port Commission. There
are four terminals, one on Penang Island (Swettenham Pier) and three on the
mainland.
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