THE proposed RM10.5 billion Mutiara light rail transit (LRT) system in Penang is now likely to have 21 stations instead of 22 while its length has been shortened to 28km from 28.43km.
Following the latest round of negotiations over the route alignment and stations, Gurdwara Station has been cut from the line.
It was initially added because engineers had thought that the route was the best option for the link across the Penang Channel to Penang Sentral in Butterworth. But the station is now deemed redundant as the link to the mainland will start from Macallum Station.
"The earliest route did not include Gurdwara Station, but it was added to make it easier to connect to Penang Sentral," the engineers said.
"After further research, the authorities found that the additional station would encounter problems, so they had to remove the Gurdwara Station, and the length of the entire line was also shortened to 28km."
Macallum Station will be the main interchange, dispersing passenger traffic from Bayan Lepas, George Town, and Butterworth.
Komtar will remain a focal LRT point but mostly for passengers needing to reach George Town and to use it to head to Butterworth or the first station at the reclaimed island of Silicon Island.
The engineers said there would be more discussions and surveys conducted to ensure the best route and stations to maximise route efficiency.
The final station is Penang Sentral, where the MRT will integrate with the existing Electric Train Service (ETS) and Komuter services from Butterworth to KL Sentral (Kuala Lumpur), Kedah, and Perlis.
Silicon Island is the first station followed by Bayan Lepas, Penang International Airport, Gurney Drive, Industrial Park South, Industrial Park North, Jelutong, Penang International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Bukit Jambul, Sungai Limau, Sungai Relau, Batu Maung, University Road, The Light, East Balik Pulau, Sungai Pinang, Sungai Pinang, Komtar, Macallum, and Penang Sentral.
The Sungai Nibong express bus terminal will serve as an interchange for the LRT and public stage buses.
Komtar Station could become an interchange later if the LRT line is expanded to the high-density areas of Air Itam and Tanjung Bungah.
The first construction phase of the LRT will be from Silicon Island to Komtar, and the second phase will be from Komtar across the sea to Butterworth.
The LRT project, undertaken by MRT Corp Bhd, is expected to commence operations by 2030.
Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin, who attended a briefing on the LRT project, said the project is sorely needed to address the worsening traffic congestion in the state, particularly on the island.
Non-governmental organisations under the umbrella of Penang Forum are opposed to it, saying it could end up a "white elephant".
They prefer an autonomous rail transit as they said the LRT is too car-centric, said its member Lim Mai Hui. – July 5, 2024.
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