GEORGE TOWN – Penang urgently needs a light rail system (LRT) to alleviate the worsening traffic congestion here, said PKR’s Sim Tze Tzin despite concerns on potential low ridership.
“Penang is a destination that gets up to six million tourists annually. There is a daily exchange of inbound and outbound visitors. This is where a LRT system is effective in dispersing crowds,” the Bayan Baru MP said.
Penang Forum previously alleged that the RM10 billion LRT is not suitable due to possibly low ridership, as the state only has a 1.8 million population, 60% of which are living on the mainland.
Sim said the proposed LRT would link Komtar here to the Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas, spanning 30km with 27 stations, cutting down travel time.
“We hope the Finance Ministry can help us with our proposed LRT project,” he said, referring to the request for proposal submitted to Putrajaya.
He added that traffic congestion is among the main grouses in his constituency.
Earlier, Sim was at the launch of a car-pooling initiative by Kumpool Sdn Bhd here.
Bayan Baru residents can utilise the Kumpool service by downloading the app to access 70 locations in the satellite town and nearby suburbs.
The service has been introduced to the Klang Valley and Negri Sembilan.
Earlier, state infrastructure and transport committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari had said the state completed the pre-qualification registration exercise.
The Bayan Lepas LRT is one of the components of the RM46 billion Penang Transport Master Plan. – The Vibes, April 6, 2023
