Penang Mutiara Line LRT

• Penang Mutiara Line LRT construction starts, to cost under RM16 billion including 5 km link bridge

  In Local News, Public Transport / By Mick Chan / 30 July 2025 10:12 am / 5 comments

  

  The main construction phase of the Mutiara Line LRT in Penang has begun, and the project is estimated to cost under RM16 billion, New Straits Times has reported.

  This cost estimate includes inflation adjustments, land acquisition, and the construction of a five km bridge that will link Komtar to Penang Sentral in Butterworth, according to the report. Meanwhile, a tender for the bridge portion of the project will be called in October.

  The original RM10 billion estimate for the project did not include land acquisition or the Butterworth link, said MRT Corp CEO Datuk Mohd Zarif Hashim.

  “These additions would typically push the cost to RM18 or RM19 billion, but cost-optimisation measures have saved the government RM2 to RM3 billion. This is not about inflating figures. We have restructured the project to ensure practical implementation, minimal wastage, and maximum long-term returns,” Zarif said.

  

  MRT Corp is in discussions with state authorities to use state-owned land and the Penang Development Corporation to limit costs of land acquisition, Zarif said. “We are striving for financial sustainability within five years of operation. Achieving break-even is our target,” he added.

  In terms of train operation, the Mutiara Line LRT will operate at Level 3 automation where the trains run automatically, but with attendants present onboard to make real-time decisions; a setup aimed at reducing complexity and maintenance costs, Zarif said. For comparison, LRT trains in Kuala Lumpur operate at Level 4 automation which involve higher technological and maintenance requirements, according to NST.

  Construction of the Mutiara Line LRT is set to be carried out in 24 segments, while a further six segments are deferred to later phases, and on-site activity is expected to ramp up from August. Meanwhile, the Tapak Pesta depot site which was planned for 37 acres has been reduced to 11 acres due to land optimisation and ongoing design adjustments to reduce the project’s overall footprint, the report wrote.

  Completion of the Mutiara Line LRT is expected in 2030, with four lines expected in 2050 as part of the states mobility goals.

   

  5 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• Penang LRT bridge portion open tender targeted Oct

  In Local News, Public Transport / By Jonathan James Tan / 29 July 2025 5:13 pm / 10 comments

  

  MRT Corp is targeting to launch the open tender for the proposed bridge portion of Penang’s Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) this October, Bernama reports, with CEO Datuk Mohd Zarif Hashim saying that the design stage has been completed and that the company is now awaiting the relevant authorities’ approval.

  “The bridge design has been carefully developed to provide maximum flexibility for the port industry in Penang to grow, especially considering the economic significance of the sector alongside tourism.

  “We have held discussions with the Penang Port Commission to ensure the rail bridge will not obstruct maritime routes,” he added. The possibility of Penang Port being upgraded to a fully-fledged container port, both at North Port and South Port, must be considered, he said.

  The proposed bridge alignment will span between Butterworth’s North and South ports, necessitating careful long-term planning to accommodate future port expansion.

  

  “Our bridge will be 62 metres above sea level, which is taller than the first Penang Bridge, but still within limits to avoid interfering with aviation pathways.

  “For safety, fencing will be installed along the bridge, which will also feature a pedestrian crossing linking Butterworth to Komtar on the island,” Mohd Zarif said, adding that MRT Corp sees the need for four LRT lines covering both Penang Island and Seberang Perai to deliver full connectivity and long-term efficiency.

  Transport minister Anthony Loke said last month that construction of Penang’s Mutiara Line LRT will start within July-August. First talked about in 2015, the 29.5-km Mutiara Line LRT will connect Penang’s island and mainland through 21 stations.

  Expected to be completed by 2030, the project was taken over by the federal government in early-2024. In its original form, the LRT project on the island was planned to connect the Komtar complex with the Penang International Airport in the south of the island. This has recently been stretched northward towards Tanjung Bungah, while the proposed underground link in George Town has been scrapped.

   

  10 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• Penang Mutiara Line LRT to start construction soon

  In Local News, Public Transport / By Jonathan James Tan / 11 June 2025 4:19 pm / 4 comments

  

  Transport minister Anthony Loke has said that construction of Penang’s Mutiara Line LRT will start within the next two months, and that all outstanding issues between the federal and Penang governments have been resolved, including release letters from the state government, Bernama reports.

  “Physical work will begin shortly, in one or two months. So we ask them (the state government) to ensure there is a traffic diversion plan when piling work and construction begins to ensure the project doesn’t have a negative impact on road congestion,” he said.

  First talked about in 2015, the 29.5-km Mutiara Line LRT will connect Penang’s island and mainland through 21 stations. The Star quoted Loke as saying that the project’s main contractor has already assigned preliminary work to subcontractors to prepare for on-site activities.

  Expected to be completed by 2030, the project was taken over by the federal government in early-2024. In its original form, the LRT project on the island was planned to connect the Komtar complex with the Penang International Airport in the south of the island. This has recently been stretched northward towards Tanjung Bungah, while the proposed underground link in George Town has been scrapped.

   

  4 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• Penang government, MRT Corporation mulling low- to medium-capacity scalable system for Mutiara Line LRT

  In Local News, Public Transport / By Mick Chan / 30 May 2024 11:52 am / 6 comments

  

  The Penang state government and MRT Corporation are exploring a low- to medium-capacity system for the Penang Mutiara Line light rail transit (LRT) project, Bernama has reported.

  The procurement board of the transport ministry will select the type of LRT system based on passenger projections and the state’s needs, said state infrastructure transport and digital committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari.

  “When we talk about LRT, many people imagine an LRT [system] like the Kelana Jaya LRT line, which is a high-capacity medium which can accommodate 15,000 to 30,000 passengers per hour, one way, but this system is not suitable for Penang,” he said.

  

  “We will not choose a system like the Kelana Jaya line, [as] it is too high-capacity for Penang. We will choose a scalable system where we can start with a frequency of approximately two-car trains so that when we want to add [capacity] in the future, we can put three-car trains or four-car trains,” Zairil said.

  The detailed design for the construction of the LRT system actually takes into account the use of sufficient electricity resources, with each station being connected to a traction power substation (TPS) which will supply electricity to the train system later, he added.

  In April, transport minister Anthony Loke said that construction of the Penang LRT project will begin in the fourth quarter of this year. The Penang LRT Mutiara Line project was taken over by the federal government, and is estimated to be complete by 2030.

   

  6 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• Penang LRT construction to begin Q4 2024 – Loke

  In Local News, Public Transport / By Mick Chan / 1 April 2024 10:30 am / 9 comments

  

  Construction of the Penang LRT project will begin in the fourth quarter of this year, transport minister Anthony Loke has said, reported The Star. The Penang LRT Mutiara Line project has been taken over by the federal government, and is estimated to be complete by 2030, the transport minister said.

  “We hope that within six months, the negotiations with SRS Consortium can be concluded. Following that, we expect physical works can start at least by the fourth quarter this year,” Loke said.

  The contracts have been divided into three segments – Segment 1, which is the Silicon Island to Komtar contract, Segment 2, which is the Komtar to Penang Sentral contract, and a contract for turnkey systems and rolling stocks. The Penang LRT Mutiara Line spans around 29 km and will feature 20 stations, including two interchange stations in Komtar and Penang Sentral.

  

  SRS Consortium has been offered the Segment 1 contract based on the Single Sourcing Request for Proposal mechanism, while the two other contracts will be offered on an open tender basis, according to the report.

  “The offer (to SRS Consortium) was made based on the request by Penang state government which had appointed SRS as the Project Delivery Partner of the Penang Transportation Master Plan, which comprises the Penang LRT Mutiara Line, through an open tender in August 2015,” Loke said.

  “SRS has also studied the technical early designs while acquiring approvals for the Environmental Impact Assessment, Social Impact Assessment and conditional Skim Kereta Api,” Loke added, saying that the Cabinet has agreed to appoint MRT Corp as the developer and asset owner of the new train line.

  Rolling stock operations depot and transit-oriented development projects will be conducted by MRT Corp, together with the state government, and the new strategy aims to generate additional non-fare revenue that is to be reinvested for train maintenance in the future, the transport minister added.

   

  9 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• Penang LRT project alignment revamp likely as transport ministry takes over; may not begin this year

  In Local News, Public Transport / By Mick Chan / 14 February 2024 12:05 pm / 9 comments

  

  There will likely be modifications to the proposed RM10 billion light rail transit (LRT) project alignment in Penang following its takeover by the transport ministry, according to Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow, reported The Vibes.

  To that end, there will be a possibility that construction of the LRT project will not begin this year due to the need to conduct further feasibility studies and assessments, along with account input from various quarters, according to the news outlet.

  In its original form, the LRT project on the island was planned to connect the Komtar complex with the Penang International Airport in the south of the island. This has recently been stretched northward towards Tanjung Bungah, while the proposed underground link in George Town has been scrapped.

  

  A possible replacement route could be a rail bridge over the channel between the island and the mainland, to enable the LRT to run from Geroge to Butterworth. This will link the LRT project from the island directly to Penang Sentral, which is the main hub for express buses, ride-sharing service and KTMB trains in the northern region, according to The Vibes.

  Previously led by the Penang state government, the LRT project initially had SRS Consortium appointment as consultant before the project was taken over by MRT Corp.

  The chief minister of Penang hoped that consideration for the project will be given quickly if it begins this year, as there are many technical and financial issues to be studied beforehand, the report wrote. “A cabinet paper would need to be tabled [now] to get its green light and guidance for the next step,” Chow said.

   

  9 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• Penang state govt 100% confident LRT project on track

  In Local News, Public Transport / By Danny Tan / 23 November 2023 2:55 pm / 5 comments

  

  The Penang state government is 100% confident that the Penang LRT project is on track to be built as planned. This was said by state infrastructure committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari in the state legislative assembly on Tuesday. He was replying a question by Bukit Tengah ADUN Gooi Hsiao-Leung.

  “The state government has met with MRT Corp in various meetings to discuss the project so we are 100% confident that this project is on track to be built as planned,” Zairil said, reported by Malay Mail. “The project is in the research stage and the research is expected to be completed early next year,” he added.

  Zairil explained that the project manager, MRT Corp, has already called for a tender to appoint a consultant to conduct research for the project. The state government had conducted various technical, feasibility and alignment studies on the LRT project and the results have been handed over to MRT Corp, he said.

  The Tanjong Bunga ADUN and state exco member said that prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had announced that the federal government would fund the project, while the costs, implementation and start date of the project will be decided by the transport ministry. “We hope the project will begin in the near future,” he added.

  In May, Anwar announced that the federal government would fund the Penang LRT project, which will link Penang island to the mainland. The project was mentioned in the recent Budget 2024. The PM said that the project’s estimated cost will be in the region of RM10 billion, and that the government is looking at a public-private partnership model.

   

  5 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• Budget 2024: LRT Penang to Seberang Perai estimated to cost RM10 billion, public-private partnership

  In Local News / By Mick Chan / 13 October 2023 8:31 pm / 20 comments

  

  More news on rail network developments from the tabling of Budget 2024 today. The upcoming LRT project for the state of Penang has been estimated to cost in the region of RM10 billion, according to plans by the Penang state government through a PPP (public-private partnership).

  The LRT project is part of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) that will connect Komtar and Bayan Lepas with 23 stations along the 26.8 km line. The rail line project was also revealed in 2016 to include a Georgetown-Butterworth LRT line that will connect the island with the mainland, along with a tram system in Georgetown as well as a few monorail lines.

  In May, transport minister Anthony Loke said that the federal government has made a decision in principle to implement the Penang LRT project.

   

  20 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• Government to provide more funds for Penang LRT

  In Local News, Public Transport / By Gerard Lye / 11 May 2023 10:36 am / 31 comments

  

  The federal government recently announced that it will provide additional funds to expedite the construction of the Penang Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, Bernama reports. According to prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the previous government had not provided enough funds for the project for several years.

  “I had a discussion with the minister of transport yesterday (Friday, May 5), and I will also hold a discussion with the state government in the next one or two weeks to find a suitable approach to bear the high cost of LRT construction,” he said, adding the project is expected to ease traffic congestion in the state.

  “We have LRT, MRT and monorail in the Klang Valley… why can’t we introduce it to the second largest city in our country,” Anwar went on to say.

  

  The LRT project is part of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) and will connect Bayan Lepas to Komtar. Prior to Anwar’s announcement, the proposed Bayan Lepas line is estimated to cost RM9.5 billion and will measure 26.8 km, serving 23 stations on the eastern side of the island from Komtar in Georgetown to Bayan Lepas, The Star reported.

  The PTMP revealed in 2016 also includes a Georgetown-Butterworth LRT line connecting the island to the mainland, along with a tram system in Georgetown as well as a few monorail lines.

  Transport minister Anthony Loke added that the federal government has made a decision in principle to implement the Penang LRT project. “The federal government is ready to finance this project, but the financing model and mechanism need to be discussed in detailed… whether through funds from development or off budget or the financing method through PPP (public-private partnership), we need further details,” he explained.

  GALLERY: Penang Transport Master Plan

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  
  

   

  31 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• Penang submits plans for 30 km Bayan Lepas LRT line

  In Local News, Public Transport / By Chris Aaron / 4 April 2016 10:36 am / 5 comments

  

  The state government of Penang has submitted its plans for the Bayan Lepas Light Rail Transit (LRT) to the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) right on schedule. Reported by The Star, the state’s executive council member, Chow Kon Yeow, confirmed that the application for the state’s first LRT line was made on March 29.

  As previously reported, the new LRT is a part of the RM27 billion Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP). It will connect the Komtar and Bayan Lepas areas in a bid to ease congestion and shorten travel times.

  The 30 km-long LRT line will start from the northeast corner of the island, pass through the Penang International Airport and end at the proposed Penang South Reclamation project. It will feature a total of 27 LRT stations along the way, with future LRT and monorail line interchanges anticipated.

  Speaking at the launch of the new PTMP website, Lim Guan Eng, the state’s chief minister, added that plans to ease congestion on the island include additional taxis, buses, water taxis, ferries, cable cars and the new LRT/monorail system.

  “There is also a public transport network involving buses and a master plan for bicycle routes,” he said. “This is a game changer for Penang, not only in terms of economic development and prosperity, but a chance to enhance Penang as a liveable city.”

   

  5 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• Penang to submit LRT plans – Komtar to Bayan Lepas

  In Local News, Public Transport / By Chris Aaron / 24 March 2016 10:24 am / 6 comments

  

  Plans for a Light Rail Transit (LRT) system in Penang are expected to be submitted to the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) next month. According to The Sun Daily, local government traffic management and flood mitigation committee chairman, Chow Kon Yeow, revealed that the system is a part of the RM27 billion Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP).

  “These plans will be on public display for three months to gather feedback, getting approval is a legal requirement,” Chow said. He added that the priority for the LRT system would be to link the Komtar and Bayan Lepas areas and hopes that it will be approved quickly.

  Originally, PTMP was designed to relieve traffic and connection issues between the Penang island and the mainland. Mass rail transit (MRT) systems, busses, ferries and water taxis are also included as prime solutions for this under the master plan.

  It is said that the state government has already appointed SRS Consortium as its Project Delivery Partner (PDP) and that funds would be raised via the reclamation of a 930-hectare plot of land as well as a 445-hectare plot off the coast of Permatang Damar Laut.

  As previously reported, the Bayan Lepas LRT is expected to stretch from Komtar to Permatang Damar Laut via the Penang International Airport – the proposed alignment spans some 22 km and include 19 stations. Another eight stations are expected to be built along three proposed reclaimed islands in the south, bringing the total length to 30 km.

   

  6 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• Penang public transport plan revealed – LRT, BRT, monorail and trams to connect island to mainland

  In Local News, Public Transport / By Jonathan Lee / 4 March 2016 3:17 pm / 15 comments

  

  Penang Transport Master Plan (PMTP) project delivery partner SRS Consortium has detailed the state’s public transport plan in a meeting with the Penang Real Estate and Housing Association (REHDA), according to the state government’s publication Buletin Mutiara.

  The proposal includes seven lines that will connect the island to the mainland, including the Bayan Lepas and Georgetown-Butterworth LRT lines, the Ayer Itam, Tanjung Tokong and Raja Uda-Bukit Mertajam monorail lines, the Permatang Tinggi-Batu Kawan Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line and the Georgetown tram.

  On the island side, the Bayan Lepas LRT is expected to stretch from Komtar to Permatang Damar Laut via the Penang International Airport – the proposed alignment spans some 22 km and include 19 stations. Another eight stations are expected to be built along three proposed reclaimed islands in the south, bringing the total length to 30 km.

  

  From Komtar, the Tanjung Tokong monorail will extend north to Gurney Drive and ends at Tanjung Pinang – it’s expected to be a seven-kilometre ride passing eight stations. The Ayer Itam monorail will also start at Komtar, heading towards Ayer Itam and terminating at Majestic Heights – a distance of 13 km across 13 stations.

  Trams are slated to return to Penang under the PMTP – the new two-kilometre, six-station line will start from Lebuh Carnarvon near the Komtar LRT station and passes through Lebuh Chulia and Pengkalan Weld before terminating at the Swettenham Pier.

  Meanwhile, the Georgetown-Butterworth LRT starts from The Light station (an interchange with the Bayan Lepas line) and crosses the sea north of the Penang Bridge towards Penang Sentral, before concluding at Sungai Nyiur. Overall, the alignment is expected to be 18 km in length, consisting of eight stations.

  

  The Raja Uda-Bukit Mertajam monorail will start from Taman Kenanga, interchange with the Georgetown-Butterworth LRT at Sungai Nyiur, and pass through Bukit Mertajam before concluding at the Kulim Industrial Park. Another line will branch out from the Alma station and ends at Permatang Tinggi; all in all, the line will through 21 stations along a 28 km route.

  Lastly, the BRT connects Permatang Tinggi to Batu Kawan, ending at the Bandar Cassia Industrial Park – a distance of 14 km via 15 stations. In all, Penang’s public transport plan spans 151 km – The Star previously reported that construction of the LRT will begin in 2018, with completion set for 2024; work on the George Town-Butterworth LRT and the Raja Uda-Bukit Mertajam monorail is only expected to start after 2026.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

  15 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• Penang to mainland LRT will connect to other rail lines

  In Local News, Public Transport / By Anthony Lim / 18 December 2015 9:22 am / 5 comments

  

  Yesterday, it was reported that there are plans to set up a light rail transit (LRT) track to link Penang and the mainland. The suggested route will see LRT rails constructed near the first Penang bridge, making the connection the fourth link between the island and the peninsular.

  The link will connect Gelugor on the island to the Prai Industrial Estate, where it will wind through housing estates, beginning with Taman Supreme before reaching Penang Sentral in Butterworth. The George Town-Butterworth LRT link will be connected to other rail networks in the state, The Star reports.

  These are the 20 km-long Bayan Lepas LRT on the island, which will have 26 stops between Komtar and the airport, and the Raja Uda-Bukit Mertajam Monorail on the mainland, which will stretch from Permatang Tinggi in south Seberang Prai to Sungai Dua in the north. The monorail will have 22 stations, and will pass through Alma, Bukit Mertajam, Bandar Perda, Taman Supreme, Sunway Carnival Mall and Penang Sentral.

  

  An additional two lines are also being proposed by SRS Consortium, the project delivery partner for the RM27 billion Penang Transport Master Plan. They are the Air Itam monorail, which will have 13 stops between Paya Terubong and Komtar and the Tanjung Tokong Monorail, which will feature nine stops between Tanjung Tokong UDA Flats and Komtar.

  Plans are set to be submitted to the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) for study, and the alignment will be put on public display in June, SRS Consortium said.

  While construction of the Bayan Lepas LRT is slated to begin in 2018, work on the George Town-Butterworth LRT and the Raja Uda-BM Monorail is only expected to start after 2026, the report adds.

   

  5 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• Penang needs an LRT system, say transport experts

  In Cars, Local News, Public Transport / By Graham Chin / 25 November 2015 5:45 pm / 22 comments

  

  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.

  

  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?

   

  22 comments | Leave a comment?

   

Latest Fuel Prices