Penang LRT project to commence in December 2024
Penang has everything one would need for a fun, short vacation – top-notch hawker food, charming cafes, and gorgeous heritage buildings. The one thing that crops up as a slight drawback when exploring the island is the need for more public transportation.
This seems less of a concern in the coming years, as it was just announced that the construction for the Light-Rail Transit (LRT) line in Penang is set to begin in December 2024, and is estimated to be completed in 2030.
An expected 20 stations to connect George Town and Bayan Lepas
Image credit: The Star
The Penang Light Rail Transit (LRT) project faced several delays ever since it was proposed, but recent updates is sparking a glimmer of hope to see the project finally pulling through.
Conceived by the Penang state government in 2015, the originally proposed Bayan Lepas LRT line was envisioned to enhance connectivity between the city centre of George Town and the industrial area of Bayan Lepas. The project has undergone several revisions since its initial proposal, of which the main LRT line was to be located near Komtar in George Town, and linked to the Penang International Airport.
Image credit: Hotels.com
The modified and finalised alignment of the LRT line will commence from Penang Sentral in Butterworth before traversing to Lebuh Macallum, which is reportedly where the construction of the first station will begin. The 29km rail system, also known as the Mutiara Line, will be equipped with a total of 20 stations along it, including two ETS interchange stations located at Komtar in George Town and at Penang Sentral on the mainland.
From there, the route passes through key areas in Penang, including Komtar, Sungai Pinang, East Jelutong, Gelugor, Sungai Dua, Sungai Nibong, Bukit Jambul, and the Free Industrial Zone. These areas will be linked to the Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas on the southern part of the island.
The journey culminates at Silicon Island, which will serve as a depot.
When will the Penang LRT be completed?
Image credit: Wikimedia Commons
The mammoth project has its contract divided into three components, with two of it being civil construction works for Segments 1 and 2, encompassing Silicon Island to Komtar and Komtar to Penang Sentral respectively. The third part is a turnkey contract for system and carriage works.
Image credit: Penang Transport Master Plan
As of March 2024, Transport Minister Anthony Loke confirmed that the Federal Government has taken over the implementation of the project, with Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRT Corp) as the appointed developer and asset owner of the new train line. Loke also addressed the estimated timeline of the project that is expected to begin this December and with estimated completion in the the year of 2030.
On 10th October 2024, Loke was reported by The Star to have confirmed the project’s commencement in December 2024.
LRT project in Penang set for completion in 2030
In a city that’s notorious for its ferocious drivers, this piece of update on Penang’s LRT project comes as a delight for both locals and tourists alike.
As a pivotal endeavour poised to shape the transportation landscape of Penang, such urban development is a beacon of innovation that’ll help proper Penang further as a notable tourist destination and make it even more convenient for everyone to travel around the state.
Some places in Penang that you can check out in the meantime:
Cover image adapted from: Hotels.com
This article was first published on 24th August 2023, and updated on 10th October 2024.