The old tram tracks of George Town, freshly uncovered and preserved on Penang Road. Getting a basic tram service up and running will cost only RM4 million, says a consultant.
George Town once had a remarkable public transport system. It had these fascinating trams, which were affordable and people friendly.
Cities across the world, especially heritage cities, have found trams to be a cost-effective and reliable mode of transport. Some of the trams look really futuristic like those in Nottingham (please click this link to see what a modern tram looks like). Others blend in easily with the historical backdrop like some of those in Milan. Then there are variations such as the O-bahn in Adelaide.
Who says trams are old fashioned. This is a modern tram in Istanbul:
Now, imagine if we had this on the streets of Penang. The major advantage of trams is that they stop at street level, making it more accessible for passengers to hop on and off. Trams are suitable even in cities with narrow streets.
The Penang state government should speak to tram expert Ric Francis, who has been passionately advocating trams in Penang instead of a monorail. I attended a talk by Ric once and he was telling us how easy and inexpensive it was to get a tram system going in George Town. When the Jelutong Expressway was being constructed, he said it would be so easy to incorporate tram tracks along the highway.
It’s a real pity that no one who mattered was interested in listening to Ric. I wonder why – but then again, why build an inexpensive RM4 million tram system when you can spend billions building a monorail or a subway system. You know-lah why they like all those mega projects…
The Star
Thursday, 9 November 2006
by Emmeline Tan
Bring back trams
Keep the monorail out of George Town and bring back the trams for the sake of the environment and heritage.
Engineer Ric Francis, who has been in the tram industry for 38 years, said there were many pitfalls to the proposed RM1.2bil monorail system that would connect the entire Penang island.
“Once the huge monorail structures are built in George Town, the heritage buildings will be totally eclipsed.
“Trams on the other hand, provide a nice, quiet, scenic journey,” said Francis, co-author of Penang Trams, Trolleybuses and Railways – Municipal Transport History 1880s-1963.
COLONIAL TRANSPORT SYSTEM:Francis showing his book on Penang trams.
Giving a lecture at the Penang Heritage Trust at Church Street recently, Francis said George Town Municipal electrical trams used from 1905 to 1936 reaped high profits until World War I when the supply of replacement parts was hampered.
He estimated that less than RM3.8mil (US$1mil) was needed to get an electrical tram system up and running in George Town.
“Old tramlines such as from Prangin Mall to Weld Quay still exists underneath the bitumen road and can be restored for use,” he said.
A 50m tramline was unearthed at the Chulia Street-Penang Road junction in 2004 during road works and was preserved by the Penang Municipal Council.
“There are many second- hand trams in other countries that are for purchase.”
Existing street poles could be used to support the one-cable electrical wiring for trams, he added.
“Trams are pollution-free and are being used in cities with narrow roads such as Amsterdam and Lisbon.
“There would not be the high cost of diesel to pay, and very little maintenance of parts compared to buses.”
To me, a tram system is much more cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing than a monorail network, especially for a heritage city like George Town and surrounding areas and even in Butterworth and Prai. The tram system could link up to a cross-channel light rail service alongside the Penang Bridge. Together with an expanded ferry service, an improved bus system, safe cycling paths and more pedestrian walkways, trams could transform Penang into a model city for sustainable public transport, besides enhancing George Town’s heritage setting and its quality of life.
Let me sign off with a lovely song (‘Peace Train’) by Yusuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens), who was inspired to write this while on a train.
Related posts:
We’ll said bro,
I appoint you as my rep in Penang on this environment & transport issue. Hope more will do the same. Maybe we can set up an online petition thing with email for verfication. For this time, I know we have Guan Eng, whom is a People’s Champion. That’s on the people’s side.
For Science, get Experts called in asap to conduct proper research & cone up with what’s best, supported by evidence.
Cheers
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I dont know why BN since 50 year ago doesnt like train alike transportation. except in Klang Valley.
most of all railways in Malaysia was build by british.
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Dear Freedom Fighters, both Online & Offline…
I have been supporting the boycott the newspapers initiative for sometime & I have done my push & pull marketing rather we’ll around my circle of family, friends & contacts. A few have stopped buying, some don’t already. A lot whom still want to purchase the papers, I passed on the info – which was the worst in all mediums & urged them to switch to the least worst. For English papers, the worst was the The Star (Spinning & BN coverage). Data can be found on the People’s Parliament.
Now, the story. I have noticed that some, are still purchasing the newspapers, especially “The Star” every now & then, especially on Saturday’s for… “The Recruitment Section!”
So, I urge all those whom support this cause to pass the word. Only get your recruitment information online. Do not purchase the msm & even browse through it.
PR & others (mid-long term effort), get more beginner computer classes up. Teaching people to use the comp, get the news, browse & apply for jobs, using the email, etc. Keep the fees very low, give it free to the very poor, catch the young, educate! PR, set up a IT centre in the poor areas, with news printed out & pasted there regularly. Put up a few PCs with internet connections for the poor to share & use for free during office hours.
Check out MT article “My Version of the Truth” by RPK, for some related info.
Thanks, please pass the word!
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It seems to me a bit fishy that price tag. Just $4 million?
I don’t believe that second-hand trams are that cheap! Anyways, in order to have an efficient tram system, is it enough using the same old tracks or do we have to invest in new ones…
Anyways, it’s quite cheap nevertheless, according to this link
http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-110728270.html
Bombardier supplies 12 of the trams that are used in Adelaide (and very modern) for US47.6 million. Note however, this is simply the cost of purchasing the trams, but what about the installation of the system? The electrification of the tram system? The cost of building the tram stations? And of course the cost of marketing the product!
All these things need to be considered in the cost so US$1 million is definitely fishy to me.. better check out the facts before saying anything!
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Hey! My gramps was a Tram Driver in the old days in Penang! I still have his pic with the really smart uniform on. Anil, it would be great to have it back on Penang streets.
I would definitely move my business back to Penang in that case.
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I am enthusiastic by this idea.
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to,
anil,
As you said,correct.MORE MEGA THE PROJECT THE MOVE COMMISSION BARISAN (ALLEGEDLY) MAKE.why waste their time when small money involve.
YOU STILL DESERVED THE 10% COMMISSSION WHENEVER YOU SAVE THE TAX PAYER MONEY.I AM HOPING FOR YOU ANIL ALTHOU YOU DOING THIS IN GOOD FAITH TO MALAYSIAN.
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I remember there was a Tram line also in Kuala Lumpur along the Mounbatten Road with a Robinson’s shop !
And a good local train from Ampang ending at Petaling Street.
In many modern developed cuntries Trams and Trolley buses still ply the urban areas and they make more sense to reduce PERSONAL car with just single occupancy rides!
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yeah i agree penang should bring back the tram.
i know ric personally and had attended one of his talk too. he was in penang a couple of times already talking about trams. he was invited by the council (all expenses paid!), it seemed to give the last talk i attended at the penang heritage trust office.
say this just came into my mind. the penang government had said they will pick reps from NGOs in the council – how about we propose your name, anil?
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Dear Anil,
It was an eye opener for the history to come alive in Penang.Most of tourist would prefer to see the trams in Penang and the economy will boom by this simple transport system and the cost is only $4M.
Wonder how many tourist did we get by sending malaysian to space??????.Hope CM Lim Guan Heng can digest the above and do the needful for the Penagites.
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Anil
Another great point. I have always believed that anything the LRT or monorail can do, the tram can also do…and it would be faster, better, and cheaper.
With the use of tram technology we can turn Malaysia’s cities into places where public transport actually works for the interests of the people.
All that is needed is the political will.
Anytime you need info, please let me know. Also, please invite your readers to send their views, opinions and ideas about public transportation to transportkini@gmail.com
Cheers, mya
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The biggest problem with trams is that it uses road real estate for it operation and at the same time cannot travel at nearly the same speeds as road vehicles.
The probable result? Driver frustration with slow-moving trams.
cheers
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Of course, I hasten to add, better public transportation would reduce car numbers, but would the trams have the capacity to achieve enough reduction?
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Great idea but needs more thoughts into it. Narrow Penang roads requiring expansion in many areas for it to be implemented, snail speed holding up traffic. In many cities overseas, the trams are used in downtown districts and short distnces. Now, how is this going to help traffic dispersion in the fringes of Georgetown eg Green Lane/Scotland Road, Coastal Highways, Gurney Drive, Air Itam.
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Anil
Yes, it would merit a study on the tram system as an inner urban transportation systtem for Penang (both the island and Seberang Perai), even in cities like Ipoh, Melaka, etc.
It is not without its cost but as long as it can bring down traffic jam while promoting mobility, it is worth considering.
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(Certain parties) will not implement any project that (they) can’t make money themselves. If the project is RM 4 millions, the maximum the … can make is 4 mil. With proposing the RM 1.2 billions project, the … can at least make RM 500 mils. If (we) regards them as stupid…, they aren’t stupid when come to how much money they can “rape” from the Rakyat.
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As for Moaz Yusuf Ahmad,
That’s the point, in the urban area, how fast is a car can speed?
No additional real estate required, just use the existing road infra.
The public transportation have priority over others road users, except the pedestrians.
The point is….to force more people to use public transportation.
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Apparently, cost-effective studies were not part of the previous Penang government procedures in approving projects. Penangites make the correct choice this time.
Penang should shift its development to the mainland Penang. Penang Island is too congested now.
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sorry correction,
how fast car a car speed?
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Anil,
I’ve been reading your pieces for some time now, and it has certainly evolved quite a bit from the “tame” days.
Anyway, if the tram were to make a comeback to Penang, it would be nothing short of a phenomenal development.
It would lend Penang the color & character that it has been stripped of in the past 25yrs.
But to say that it would cost RM4 million …. I don’t think so, mate – but definitely will be much more cost effective and functional than the over-rated “high-tech” proposals we have had thus far from many brainiacs.
Push for it Anil ….
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The Penang Govt should into this possibility. I was in Istanbul, where people use trams rather than taxis and cars.
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on the contrary, istanbul trams are speedy unlike old fashion ones. i’ve been there but didn’t have the chance to ride it. and ppl wit neckties and suits rode them.
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I love Hong Kong with its trams, buses & taxis, especially the “old” trams which are full of character. They’re also touristy ! What’s the current Chief Minister waiting for if it’s only around RM 4 million just to set up the tram lines cum system ? Of course there’ll be more millions required to acquire the physical trams BUT the expenditure would be far less than that of a monorail’s !
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My suggestion is to follow what San Fransisco is having… trams that is not modern can also be a tourist attraction.
Problem… role as a public transport vs tourist attraction…
Maybe we can have a mix between monorail and tram running in the same time and complete one another….
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To Billy Yap
I have always supported the tram option because it:
*has the same or similar capacity to LRT (for the longer trains)
*can be used at street level, elevated, underground
*can operate in mixed traffic or exclusive lanes
*has more frequent stops than LRT which encourages users
*costs less per km than LRT/monorail because there is little need for elevated stations, lifts, staircases, etc.
*has a lower cost which means we can spend the same money and build more lines
*gives us far more options (more than 20 companies producing trams) than monorail (3 companies)…which means lower overall costs.
cheers, mya
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