GEORGE TOWN: The proposed route for the Penang Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, previously set to end at the Tun Abdul Razak Complex (KOMTAR), will now connect all the way to Penang Sentral, the main transportation hub in Seberang Perai, announced Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
Chow revealed that the new extension of the LRT route was proposed by the Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) during recent discussions.
“The original proposal was for the line to stop at the KOMTAR station, but MRT Corp wanted it to continue on to Penang Sentral in Seberang Perai. This means the project will cross the sea and we will have to look into the technical considerations to ensure smooth construction,” he said.
Earlier, Chow, who is also the Penang DAP chairman, attended the party’s Chinese New Year open house event at Ng Yam Huat Hall here.
Elaborating further, Chow said MRT Corp has already presented efforts towards realising the long-planned LRT project.
“They mentioned needing to present a Cabinet paper to obtain green light from the Cabinet before further steps can be taken,” he said.
Previously, MRT Corp appointed consultants SRS Consortium Sdn Bhd to conduct studies on the proposed LRT route alignment.
“The state government’s Project Delivery Partner (PDP) at that time provided feedback and reacted to the route alignment we proposed. All these details, including locations for the depot, etc, will be included in the proposal paper so we can get further direction,” Chow explained.
Last May, it was reported that the first phase of the Penang LRT project will span 27 stations over 29 kilometres. Transport Minister Anthony Loke then said that the state government and MRT Corp have agreed to a new route from the Penang International Airport to Tanjong Bungah instead of ending at KOMTAR.
In the 2024 budget, RM10 billion was allocated to implement the Penang LRT project via a public-private partnership.
