Strong support for LRT
A recent survey shows Penangites are calling for the government to implement the Bayan Lepas to George Town LRT in the soonest possible time frame to provide respite from the worsening traffic condition on the island.
Penangites are already counting the days when they can hop on the LRT to carry out their daily activities without wading through endless traffic jams and wasting time.
StarMetro took to the streets to find out Penangites’ grievances and views on the current inefficient public transport system in the state.
Zulkifly Razak Madon, 32, is an IT graduate and drives from Kampung Sungai Tiram in Bayan Lepas to inner George Town daily.
He spends an average of two hours on the road each day to send his two children to SMK Sungai Tiram before going to work.
He thinks it is really crucial to have alternative public transport for more convenience as well as savings in time and cost.
“I hear the LRT is coming and it got me excited. I look forward to the days where I can just buy a ticket, hop onto the LRT and arrive at my destination without worrying about traffic or finding a parking spot.
“In Kuala Lumpur, there are various rail-based (public transport) options such as the KTM, monorail, LRT and MRT but why not in Penang?” he asked.
Retiree Ong Tee Leng, 61, who frequents Komtar and Prangin Mall for his shopping needs, said he would need to leave home after 10am when the office workers are off the streets and try to finish what he needed to do in town before returning by 5pm.
“But now, the jams throughout the day is horrendous. I need to leave the city before 4pm, otherwise I will be stuck on the roads.
“The morning and the evening peak hours seem to be ‘extended’ and with the lunch hour crowd on the road, I am not sure if there is ever a good time to come to the city,” he said.
Asked if he supports LRT which is in the planning, Ong said it should have been in place a decade ago but better late than never.
With the recent talks on LRT, the fervour to improve the livelihood of Penangites is rising with some coming together to form groups such as Penang in TRANSIT (PiT) to speak on issues relating to public transport.
PiT’s spokesperson Esha Rishi, 33, said Penangites had been waiting for a long-term solution to the congestion issue.
“The public first heard about the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) during the Penang Property Summit early this year and I thought it was a fantastic idea. We hope that PTMP will be implemented soonest possible to uplift Penang’s livability.”
Among PiT’s objectives is to gauge public perception on the implementation of the PTMP. The survey findings showed 97% of respondents agreed that Penang needed an urgent solution to its traffic congestion while 96% strongly supported the construction of LRT as it would benefit Penang in the long run.
It was reported that the first phase of the PTMP involving the construction of the Bayan Lepas-George Town LRT project is scheduled to take off in 2017.
Penang Local Government, Traffic Management and Flood Mitigation Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow had said that the design and the alignment of the LRT would be finalised next year.
Balan Tirupati, 29, who lives in Kepala Batas on the mainland and travels daily to the island for work via the Penang Bridge, said an LRT and a new alternative highway were needed immediately.
“A well-designed public transport system will help move people away from using private cars.
“I believe the new LRT will also spur tremendous growth in the manufacturing, commercial, construction and tourism sectors,” Balan opined.
Source: TheStar.com.my
If my grandfather tells me that he is going to build me a mansion, I also strongly support. But after that he ask me to pay for it, then it’s a different story!!! Same thing here, it will not come free, a lot of sacrifices will have to be made to have it. Higher land price, more expensive homes, LRT fare hike etc. In the end you must always remember, contractors don’t come and build LRT for you out of charity. They want money. Money will have to come from somewhere, it’s either reclaim land, more fees here and there, more cukai pintu, more tax of some sort. One thing for sure, the money will not come from LGE’s pocket, it’s penang people’s pocket. And don’t forget, it’s very expensive to keep the LRTs in good shape, more money is needed then!!
There should be a LRT as promised by Abdullah Badawi during his tenure and yet up til now Penangites are just wishing and hoping to no avail. Now Penang govt. is doing all it can to fulfill that “pipe-dream” and yet where’s the moneys ? Since there are so many objections to this and that by some fellow Penangites towards Penang Transport Master Plan, it’s worrying we may not be able to see to the LRT in fruition, at least in the near future ?
We heard and hope this for many years. Hope it really make it happen.
Should build a LRT from north of the island to the high population north part of the mainland and solve the regular total chaos of rush hour every day at the ferry and the bridge. It is just getting worst and worst to get on and off the island. 2nd bridge is useless and has not made a difference at all as it takes hours and hours to detour. Island is too dense and too expensive to stay already and there will be a mass population overflow to the mainland in the next 10 years. Please see the Sunway Carnival strech all the way to the bridge on a weekday morning. Please plan ahead and plan long term.
I’m going to say the same thing all over again: we shouldn’t complain about something where we’re not willing to be part of the solution.
Traffic jam? Many ways we can be part of the solution. Before LRT, we can choose to car pool, ride a motor, bicycle if viable, hell even try commuting a little bit earlier (even though it sounds like we’re being forced to do so) is technically part of a solution, regardless of how desirable it is.
After LRT is here? Take LRT to work. I’m very very veeery sure even after LRT many would hope “others should take LRT, so I can drive my car and there will be less congestion on the road.”
I’m looking forward to the day where one family car is enough for, well, each family and the rest of the commute needs can be done by public transports. I’m also hoping for a compulsory, state funded, school bus system where parents can no longer send kids to school with their own cars and packs up all the road beside schools, but I’m sure people are not willing to accept that…