THE Penang Island City Council (MBPP) is now studying the prospects of realigning the traffic light system to disperse vehicles faster, including removing the traffic light junction next to the Lotus hypermarket in Tanjong Tokong.
MBPP president and George Town Lord Mayor Datuk Anthony Rajendran said the traffic lights on the island have been reconfigured to accommodate the rising traffic volume, hence the longer waiting periods.
"We have tested the system, and we noticed that there is no choice but to permit a longer waiting period at the inter junctions to speed up the traffic flow."
He said road users need to be patient due to the roadworks and construction projects.
But there is now a suggestion to remove some light installations, including the one at the Lotus in Tanjong Tokong.
"We are seriously considering it as it may expedite the traffic flow in the area."
Rajendran acknowledges that Penang faces severe congestion driven by a high vehicle-to-resident ratio and ongoing infrastructure development.
Among the hotspots in Penang are Bayan Lepas & Bayan Baru, with heavy traffic tied to the Free Industrial Zone (FIZ), airport links, and areas with ongoing LRT roadworks. - November 9, 2026
