GEORGE TOWN – Penangites are not shedding any tears after the federal government decided not to support projects slated under the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) due to its financial cost and detrimental effects on the environment, said civil society.
Sahabat Alam Malaysia president Meenakshi Raman said state folk are not disappointed by the federal government's rejection of some of the projects mooted under the PTMP, such as the light rail transit or the cross-channel undersea tunnel.
Meenakshi said the undersea tunnel is not necessary as Penang already has two bridges, with one of them rarely used and already considered a white elephant. Instead, she said the water transport system should be upgraded.
“What we need is a connection between the mainland and the island, and a water-based transport system can do the job.
“We should focus on upgrading the current system.
“When it comes to an underground tunnel, an underground burrow needs to be bored, which will destroy the marine ecosystem.
“Of course, consultants and engineers will say it isn’t a problem, despite it wreaking havoc on the environment.
“My question is, why do we need something so massive when there are other ways to go about it? Having the tunnel will encourage the use of more cars. The state needs to focus on moving people and not moving cars."
Meenaskhi said the fixation on cars is itself the problem, while public water transport is sustainable and more environmentally friendly.
“With an improved public transport system, mini-electric buses can go on ferries and travel to and from the island.
“Mega projects are not sustainable and, not only that, the corruption linked to them makes them highly questionable.
“I believe the underwater tunnel offers false solutions. There must be a re-examination of the context under the current situation."
She said the “big boys plan” is incompatible with other projects, such as the proposed LRT system, as the tunnel will encourage the use of more cars while the LRT aims to reduce the number of vehicles on the road.
Penang Public Transport Users Association (PeTUA) president Zulfikar Ali Shri Abdul Aziz echoed Meenaskhi's sentiment, saying the undersea tunnel makes no sense.
“This undersea tunnel is for vehicles and fast transportation. Now, with the advancement of public transport and people talking about going green, Penang does not need a lot of private vehicles, especially during work hours or when people come and visit heritage areas.
“It’s always better to experience it on foot or on bicycles," said the former city councillor.
“Instead, we should improve our public transport system and pedestrian areas.
“By introducing the tunnel, we are encouraging more cars and, what’s more, once the government realises that it needs more cars to use the tunnel to collect toll fare, it will suppress public transport.
“The tunnel is not free, no matter what the state government says, and one must take into consideration the high maintenance cost."
Zulfikar said that, regardless if the tunnel or LRT projects proceed, the bus system needs to be improved as transport must move people from point to point.
“Very few people will stay next to the undersea tunnel and even if the PTMP is realised with a highway that has no bus stops and a LRT with 19 stations and only five park-and-ride stations; it will not offer a comprehensive transportation plan for the Penang people.
“What does it mean for the future of Penang? We don’t have the money to pay for it. (The government) will increase taxes and we are going to lose some of the other developments just because we don’t have enough to pay for this (PTMP),” he added.
“We need public transportation that is reliable, safe and affordable. Provide it and people will use it. Even for buses, there have been improvements. Now, there are displays at bus stations and soon, we will be able to see real-time bus tracking on Google maps in Penang.
“For a small state, only 5% of the population uses public transport. There is so much more potential to improve it."
The 7.2-km undersea tunnel project connecting Gurney Drive to Bagan Ajam in Seberang Perai is part of the PTMP.
It is part of the state government's overall plan to connect the island with the mainland linking a myriad of highways, an LRT and monorail line, and a comprehensive bus route network, all at an estimated cost of RM46 billion. – The Vibes, January 10, 2021
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