BRT better than LRT for Penang, says MCA

GEORGE TOWN – Penang MCA has called upon the state government to change the proposed light rail transit (LRT) project to the bus rapid transit (BRT) as it is easier, cheaper and faster to construct in view of the worsening road congestion here.

Its committee member Tang Hiap Seng said Penang needs to be realistic in its transport master plan because the traffic situation here has worsened significantly since the economy reopened. Yet, it is unable to speed up projects to alleviate the situation.

Tang together with state party secretary Yeoh Chin Kah told a press conference here that Penang needs to revert the LRT to the BRT concept, especially for the island, which has one of the highest density areas in the country. 

The transport master plan was mooted over the past 14 years but nothing concrete seems to have emerged from it other than the criticism weighed against it by the civil society, as well as the constant debates about when it will begin, said Yeoh.

Tang added that the BRT will be cheaper and offer more stations for passengers to hop on instead of the LRT alignment, which requires land acquisition and may damage the environment in the process.

“Even the Pan Island Link 1 Highway is one project that we are suspicious of, as it could ruin the environment as it involves rock blasting.

“With the BRT, the passage is easier to carve out and it will not disrupt the traffic flow too much,” said Tang, adding that the cost factor is also important.

According to the Statistics Department, the population of Penang is expected to reach 1.9 million by 2030, whereas the state government predicted it at 2.8 million.

Hence, the argument that the LRT can serve up to 300,000 passengers daily is illogical.

The BRT concept also uses electric power, there is no land acquisition involved and it is regarded as more environmentally friendly than the LRT, said Tang.

Therefore, in the name of the environment and lower cost, the BRT concept for Penang Island is better and more viable, he added.

Tang urged the state not to be consumed by ego and to focus on implementation.

State infrastructure exco Zairil Khir Johari could not be reached for comment. – The Vibes, July 13, 2022