Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit. Penangites, are you ready when it’s ready?

Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit. Penangites, are you ready when it’s ready?

Penang’s traffic jam on first bridge is actually getting worse these days. In fact if we have a dinner appointment in Perai (mainland) and we are going to come from Greenlane towards the first bridge, please do start much earlier or our timing may be unpredictable. The reason is a simple one. There are just too many cars in the island and there are just so many roads. As many Penangites would always say, ‘not easy to find a parking.’ This is just a sign that the number of cars are getting way too many.

We do have a potential way out. The Mutiara Line Light Right Transit. Let’s just say I am not too sure if Penangites who are driving today will gladly switch to taking the LRT but all these would just depend on the push and pull factors lah. Push factors include a much higher parking fee, perhaps even some places where tolls could be collected (like Singapore) and pull factors would be people can no longer stand the jam or the healthier lifestyle etc. However, better have the LRT first and then think about how to get more Penangites to take the LRT when it’s completed.

Article in theedgemalaysia.com The Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) project will begin as soon as the contract negotiations between Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) as the implementing agency and contractor SRS Konsortium are finalised.

Penang Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the parties are currently in the final phase of negotiations, and are confident that the project can be started according to the plan, which is before year end.

On March 29, Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook announced that the federal government had officially taken over the Penang Pearl Line LRT project from the state government, with MRT Corp appointed as the developer and asset owner. Do read the full article in full: Article in theedgemalaysia.com

Are you ready when it’s ready?

Frankly, there are people who prefers to drive versus taking the LRT. Yes, within my mind, I can already see many Penangite friends who would do so; driving versus taking the LRT, even if they just need to walk a few minutes to the station itself. To them, it’s the convenience of walking to their car, driving to the place, parking their car, buy the things and then driving home.

It’s not walking to the nearest LRT station which could be a walk of 5-7 minutes, then wait for the train for maybe 3-4 minutes, then if it’s peak hours, stand inside the LRT car, arrive at the place and maybe another short 3-5 minutes walk to the destination and this process is repeated when it’s time to go home. In total, the walking time is much longer, the convenience is much lower and driving a car has been a habit for a very long time.

This is why in many countries, the government would also need to take additional measures to help transition more drivers to take the LRT yeah. It is not enough to just advise, advise and advise. Make it seem more worthwhile would be the correct way to go. People need to be taught to think about the advantages of taking the LRT and it’s not just about saving the world alone. just this story alone cannot work. All the best and Penangites, please be ready to take the LRT when Mutiara LRT is ready.

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