LRT, cable car to solve Penang’s transport woes

The proposed LRT line will connect Komtar to the Penang International Airport. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, April 16, 2015.Penang is going ahead with a RM4.5 billion light rail transit (LRT) project as part of the solutions to the state's public transport problems, The Star reported today.

The 17.5km elevated LRT line is expected to connect Komtar, the state's tallest building, and the Penang International Airport.

Apart from the LRT project, a 3km cable car system known as the Sky Cab is also being planned to link the Penang Sentral transport hub in Butterworth on the mainland and Gat Lebuh Noordin in George Town on the island, the report said.

Construction for the LRT project is expected to begin next year while the Sky Cab project is scheduled to take off in 2018.

The LRT project will form part of the much-awaited RM27 billion Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) which also includes a 25km expressway linking Bayan Leppas and Tanjung Bungah.

Citing sources, The Star report said Gamuda Bhd, IJM Corp Bhd and a Chinese company have been shortlisted for the projects.

Penang Local Government Traffic Management and Flood Mitigation Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow had said in an interview that the LRT line – which will be supported by a revamped stage bus system and trams – would be a priority, with completion expected in five to six years.

The Star report said in return for their role in helping the state to realise its transport master plan, the Chinese company would get to reclaim about 566ha in Seberang Prai, of which 161.8ha is located near the North Butterworth Container Terminal and 404ha near Bagan.

Chow said some of the projects would be under the purview of the federal govermnment.

Meanwhile, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng expects the Sky Cab project to be operational in three years, The Star reported.

"The Penang Sky Cab project is in advanced exploratory stage and if everything goes according to the technical specifications, we should be able to go on board in 2018.

"This project is an initiative of the state government and Penang Sentral to provide a reliable route from the mainland to the island," he was quoted as saying.

Lim said while the south side of the island had the first and second bridges connecting it to the mainland, on the north side there was only the ferry service.

"We feel that one more form of travel will decrease the dependence on automobiles," The Star quoted him as saying.

Lim said the Sky Cab would take about 15 minutes each way and would be able to cater up to 1,000 passengers per hour per direction.

Penang Sentral property and retail division senior vice-president Shireen Mohd Iqbal said the cable car would be 90m above sea level with 50m between each pylon and eight or nine towers spaced about 500m apart.

"An observatory tower is also being considered," The Star quoted him as saying.

The Penang Sentral Cable Car Station will be located next to the Penang Sentral Transportation Hub, which includes the Sultan Abdul Halim ferry terminal.

Penang Sentral will then become a travel hub offering taxi, bus, rail, ferry and Sky Cab service. – The Malaysian Insider