THE Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has adopted a proactive stance to reduce traffic congestion by providing free shuttle bus services to the Penang Hospital following a surge of outpatients in the past two years.
The service is provided under Rapid Penang's Central Area Transit (CAT) and several buses would ply to the hospital on weekdays.
Lord Mayor and MBPP president Datuk A. Rajendran disclosed this at a full council meeting that the free service would begin on January 1, next year and it will cost the council up to RM1.7 million annually.
But it is a worthwhile service if it can reduce congestion, said Rajendran, the architect behind the one-way traffic system on several roads around George Town.
"The free bus service is also provided due to the lack pf parking space at the hospital."
The route would be from Komtar to the Penang Hospital, he added.
The meeting also approved the change in traffic path to one way at the Lintang Batu Maung 4 stretch towards Lebuh Batu Maung 2 and Lintang Batu Maung 3.
It is a trial run to see if the change in traffic path, can ease congestion during peak hours.
MBPP also approved the project Blue-Green Corridor by ensuring that the Padang Kota (Esplanade) stretch is meant only for pedestrians, and not vehicles.
It is part of the Nature – Base Climate Adaptation Programme for the Urban Area of Penang Island (PNBCAP) policy.
Jalan Padang Kota will be zoned solely for pedestrians only.
To accommodate this, the Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakhbah from Lebuh Duke to Lebuh Light and from Lebuk Duke to Lebuh Light, would also be converted to one-way. - October 25, 2025.
