Penang needs an LRT system, say transport experts

LRT rail pix Bernama

With a rapidly increasing vehicle-to-population ratio, Penangites’ excessive dependence on private transportation has lead to the most severe traffic congestions the island has ever seen. To tackle the issue, transport experts say that Penang is in need of an LRT system, The Star reports.

At the moment, public transportation on the island is said to be facing challenges. Some of these include inadequate connectivity, lack of infrastructure, narrow roads and low frequency of bus services.

Goh Bok Yen, director of MAG Technical and Development Consultant and a transport expert as well, feels that a rail-based transit system should be a central component of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP). He believes a light rail transit (LRT) system is relevant for the island.

“It is important to have an urban rapid transit system that is user-friendly and that supports occupancy (ridership) rate,” he said. Goh notes that basic transport elements are key to creating a liveable city.

LRT-Failure

Stuart Macdonald, Fellow at the Penang Institute and Head of Urban Studies believes that high-capacity and high-efficiency modes of transport will do Penang a great service in terms of meeting transportation needs. However, a set criteria needs to be followed beforehand – it’s also a criteria that could potentially turn drivers into commuters.

Macdonald explained that the ‘3Cs’ (cost, convenience and comfort) criteria is needed when designing such transport facilities. “The improved public transport system has to cost less than operating your own vehicle, and convenient to use in terms of distance from origin and destination,” he noted, adding that it needs to be comfortable as well.

Major Mohd Shukri Abdul Rahman chief operating officer of Rapid Penang notes that many workers from international manufacturing firms depend on affordable transportation. In that, he agreed that public transport is particularly important in high-density areas, an area which Rapid Penang is currently looking into.

So folks, do you agree with this view?

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Comments

  • Johor needs it as well

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 26 Thumb down 40
    • ahmadjohnson97 on Nov 25, 2015 at 10:12 pm

      The ones who dislike this comment probably never been to JB recently.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 10
  • Harry on Nov 25, 2015 at 6:01 pm

    Oh yes! Definitely. Look at Singapore for comparison. With proper planning and execution, it will help. If…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 36 Thumb down 0
    • RON97 on Nov 26, 2015 at 10:09 am

      Tell Penang govt save money for this rather than paying gangster bouncer, collect taxes from chow kuey teow seller, CD seller, night clubs, etc..sohaii
      Penang people only want easy money, earn your life

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 20
  • TopsyBoXyTurvy on Nov 25, 2015 at 6:13 pm

    To complement the LRT, I would hope that Penang would establish itself as a eco and cyclist and pedestrian friendly city. With proper, systematic and comprehensive setup of bicycle/walking lanes that lead to LRT stations, peoplr dont need to drive and park at LRT limited car parks. This automatically reduces number of cars on the road. To me, an “established” status is not about how many highways u have etc.. it’s about travelling friendliness , effiency, and free from pollution . Further more penang (many heritage sites beautiful scenery), from tourism perspective, is best appreciated with slower pace of travelling, such as cycling or walking. Penang should make itself unique from others.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 62 Thumb down 2
  • NO FCKIN SH*T.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 28
  • Penang only needs LRT when tokong wills it so. Otherwise, Penangites shud bercukur for a tolled highway and soon to come undersea tunnel.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 38
    • Tokong Najib on Nov 25, 2015 at 7:56 pm

      Your Tokong Najib songlap RM2.6 billion and yet his party and his 2 million members still keeping him. Why? It is because, they also songlap. When everybody also songlap and steal, they can fulfill their destiny, which is being lazy and looking for more wives.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 50 Thumb down 3
      • Tokong dear leader songlap 3 billion from 1 state only. And his daughter wanna gip Sabah to pinoy. Your point?

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 27
        • tidur La Bang on Nov 26, 2015 at 10:51 am

          stupid john. Orang bodoh. Kerajaan curi depan muka anda pun lu tak nampak. Pergi tidur lah

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 1
    • malaysia on Nov 25, 2015 at 11:06 pm

      Hi john,

      you must be sitting under BN shadow.

      penang gov already did request for underground mrt, trams and so on but yet federal gov did not give green light or budget to go for it.

      so still tokong fault or Federal gov fault?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 0
  • betola on Nov 25, 2015 at 6:32 pm

    bas pun tak ramai yang pakai, ni nak lrt?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 50
    • Never ride a bus before? If you did, you will know the problem.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • klguy on Nov 25, 2015 at 6:59 pm

    yes, it needs lrt. current buses are good but not effective due to the massive jam in georgetown. come weekend it take approx 1hr to travel from the airport to georgetown…thanks to the massive jam and the countless traffic lights. yea, i think penang has the most traffic lights in malaysia on per km basis :P

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 36 Thumb down 2
  • ARM yusof on Nov 25, 2015 at 7:14 pm

    Pls build LRT in Johor Bahru as well.. long overdue!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 24 Thumb down 35
  • Please la, for long term, just do MRT!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
  • LRT to where? on Nov 25, 2015 at 10:49 pm

    Should build a LRT from north of the island to the high population north part of the mainland and solve the regular total chaos of rush hour every day at the ferry and the bridge. It is just getting worst and worst to get on and off the island. 2nd bridge is useless and has not made a difference at all as it takes hours and hours to detour. Island is too dense and too expensive to stay already and there will be a mass population overflow to the mainland in the next 10 years. Please see the Sunway Carnival strech all the way to the bridge on a weekday morning. Please plan ahead and plan long term.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • michaelooi on Nov 26, 2015 at 10:23 am

    While public transport is sorely needed, Penang also needs to revamp its traffic flows and improve its infrastructures as well.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • PT team, please correct your grammar mistake “SAY transport experts”, or “SAYS transport expert”.

    #ohmyenglish

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2
  • PenangDriversSuck on Nov 26, 2015 at 2:37 pm

    Yes they do. Penang drivers are pain in the ass, they shouldnt be allowed to drive anywhere in the world

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 3
 

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