Today, several Penang-based bloggers and websites simultaneously launched a “Penangites for Trams” campaign.
We hope more bloggers and webmasters – especially all those who care for Penang – will join in the campaign by placing these graphics on their blogs or websites. You may link the graphic to the URL for this post or choose to link to any other article or post about trams. Leave a comment here and you will then be added to the list below of blogs/websites supporting the campaign.
This will help to raise awareness of the viability of trams. Of course, trams work best as part of an integrated public transport system, complementing an efficient and extensive network of buses and other forms of eco-friendly transport.
Fittingly, the latest issue of business weekly The Edge carries a full-page article in support of the re-introduction of trams in Penang.
And this is a piece on trams in Penang that I wrote as a guest blogger for The Guardian.
Join in the campaign and pass the word around.
So far, these are the bloggers and websites that support the re-introduction of trams in Penang:
- Mustafa K Anuar
- Susan Loone
- Mucked in a Jam
- Penang Watch
- Kris Khaira
- Surind
- Anything Goes
- LAH-mour
- No Kacau and Don’t Kacau
- Stephen Doss
- Contemporary Malaysia
- Black and White (Justin Choo)
- The Kuala Lumpur Traveller
- Forest Explorers
- Apprize
- News for Malaysians
- Wartawan Rasmi Laman Reformasi
- DanielYKL
- Lucia Lai
- I am a Malaysian
- Carol and Jeffrey’s Big View of the World
- Lestari Heritage Network
- Motivation in Motion
- World Messenger
- Brand Bounce
- Sources of Life
- Maaran Matters
- Messy Christian
- Sivin Kit’s Garden
- u-jean
- Fair is what fair wants
- BalikPulau.org
- Sally Knits
- Accidental Blogger
- The Freak
- The Stray World
- Rainstormz
- The Dreamkid Lair
- pbsiew
- Binding Love
- Everything under the Malaysian Sun
- Strategic Analysis and Thoughts
- Justice4otk
- Ecowarriorz
- Teohyj
- anilnetto.com
Come on, together we can bring the trams back to Penang!
In case you are wondering what advantages trams bring, here’s a list from the City of Edinburgh Council website.
The number of residents, visitors and businesses are expanding, especially in key areas such as the Waterfront and west Edinburgh.
While growth is good for our economy, it also means our roads will get busier and journeys longer without a new transport choice. Trams can carry large numbers of people quickly and efficiently.
Trams don’t take up a lot of road space but they do carry a lot of people. As Edinburgh continues to grow, trams will be the most efficient way for people to travel about our city.
- Trams show a city is a modern and well-connected place to do business which can lead to more investment, new jobs, regeneration and more prosperity for us all
- Trams are an attractive option for motorists, with car users likely to be attracted to tram travel. Research shows 20% of peak hour and 50% of weekend tram passengers in the UK previously travelled by car
- Trams enhance the urban environment and generate civic pride
- Trams will encourage shoppers to travel to the city centre which can lead to more investment by businesses and regeneration. Dublin saw a rise of between 20% – 50% in pedestrian footfall figures on Grafton Street, the city’s main shopping thoroughfare. Some retailers reported a 25% increase in trade
- Residential and commercial properties may see prices increase beside tram routes. In some cities with trams, house prices have risen by up to 15% and rental prices by up to 7%
- As trams run on electricity, there will be no emissions from the vehicles themselves
- Trams will be accessible to everyone, with benefits of low level boardings at every stop and other easy-to-use features which particularly help the disabled and less mobile
- Trams will be safe to use as, in addition to a driver, every tram will have a passenger attendant on board to check tickets, answer passenger queries and ensure no anti-social behaviour occurs
- Trams will offer concessionary fares
Related posts:
I am penangist. I support 100% on briing back the TRAM in penang.
I’m sure that i’m going vote for BN on the next GE, not because i support the idea of corruptions or anything. DAP cant bring development to PG, i want pg to be an international city but they are doing now is keep boycotting everything. want to build this cannot that cannot. and the NGOs sucks.whats the point? i’m planning to move down to KL soon. PG is hopeless.. nuff said
TRAMS for what? trams is good for tourist attraction only.. and with current state of traffic congestion in PG i dun think trams an bring any good.. we have to make way for the trams, this might create more traffic jams in the island. what kind of stupid idea is this?
@kumar, it’s better than using the bus that full with non-malaysian =S So, you want to PG to be an international city but, u said “trams is good for tourist attraction only”.. So confusing la buddy, think before you speak out =D when we can attract an outsider, PG will be unique with the trams, so, the popularity of penang will be higher. Am I right my dear friend..?
yess, keep voting for BN, who cares =D
Just for the record, I am all for trams as well.
For quite some time, I had been taking the buses throughout Penang. And being a resident of Balik Pulau, I have always considered the AVAILABILITY of buses to be something to be thankful for rather than the PUNCTUALITY of the service.
What other means of protests can a student who hasn’t even reached the eligible voter age make than voicing his opinion? Then accepting the fact that some adults happen to be a bunch of liars and hypocrites.
From the various media accessible to me, I have come out with one simple plan:
Hire a renowned expert on public transportation, and place him or her firmly in charge of the project. That means without interruptions and other excuses which would otherwise permanently delay the project.
I fail to understand how anyone can be fixated on only the single issue of trams without considering that trams can be employed alongside other forms of public transport such as buses (which must remain to ply the Balik Pulau routes, among others), and taxis (where the State Government really should start being more bold and impose fines on drivers blatantly flouting licensing rules) which no one local uses anyway.
Perhaps an enforcement of “public transport only” zones or by charging fees for entering a zone being plied by trams, buses, and/or taxis would go a long way in solving traffic woes.
In essence, transforming certain zones of Penang into pedestrian-friendly cities.
That means further considerations of shade trees, bicycle stands, etc.
The government must also start a major campaign in favour of public transport, such as emphasising how the cost of ownership for cars and motorcycles is already quite high, when one includes the cost for fuel and maintenance, compared with a sustainable public transportation system.
So allow me to conclude by saying, the variables involved in the creation of a sustainable public transportation system are much too complex to be simply dismissed out of hand with statements such as “they have no practical use”, or “they are dangerous” or “they will worsen traffic congestions”.
Going back to my original solution, we should:
Bring in an expert, let him or her analyse the problem, let him or her suggest a solution, putting that expert in charge of the project, then SUPPORTING that expert in whatever decision he or she makes.
Yes, is about time tram be brought back to Penang. It will definitely blend in very well…
I always wondered why they dug up the old tram lines without any intention to reintroduce the tram. Traffic in Penang is getting out of hand. Parking prices astronomical. Trams are also safer than a subterranean transport system especially with the current crime rates.
If we close part of Georgetown(or severely restrict vehicle entry) and install peripheral carparks so people can park and ride (ala nottingham and melbourne) this would significantly improve the congestion.
I love the idea of trams in Penang. Let’s do it!
I also want to see trams in Bangkok, KL and Singapore again
Our contribution to the campaign:
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showthread.php?goto=newpost&t=3581
Tram..why not looking for another cheper method to suit the current penang infra.. malaysia own development solution..dont take oversea as a sample..we think we develop we try we used and we sale to oversea.
Trams coming to Penang?!! Hurray!! Lets do it yeaterday!!! Its long overdue. With our World Heritage status, transport in the City MUST be improved. We can learn from many Countries. It was a pleasure to ride the Trams in Melbourne to tour the City. We need to preserve our Past Glory and bring back the Joy for our children and the elderly alike!! Its a GREAT Proposal and need our whole-hearted support.Tourists will enjoy too!! Just Do It fellas
In the city I live in we have lots of trams and I use them every day to get to work, go shopping etc. I think it’s great. It’s comfortable, fast and cheap and good for the environment! More people should use public transportation and I thinks trams would also be great for Penang.
i totally agreed to tram in penang. I’m so pleasure to see the internal Georgetown to be revitalize once again. beside world heritage site, i wish i can see georgetown to become one of the world most renown heritage site. lets support it…
we need a very good public transportation like tram in Penang. The previous state government had failed to implement a good public transportation plan for the past 30 years, I hope the new government will not disappointed us.
Before any tram can be implemented, Penang people must first learn to be civic conscious when use public roads. This refers to :
(a) parking in proper parking lots
(b) no double parking
(c) no overtaking in narrow lane
(d) disr orderly use of motor cycles
(e) speeding of motorcycles
If Penang people cannot do these, then the tram is a waste of money.
You cannot have third world (people) using first world facilities. It just creates more urban jams.
Hi. I’m Victor Oh. I saw your campaign and would love to be included as one of the bloggers who support it.
Looking forward to getting that tram running here in Penang.
God bless.
way 2 go! it’ll add sth unique 2 d island. looking forward 2 it.
I’m a Penangite and utterly support this idea of this campaign. Really looking forward to step foot on the tram
Hi, I just added and supported the call for better public transportation for the public. The gov’t shld think long term, and not wait till our cities become like Bangkok, where people spend nearly the whole day stuck in jams, and increase pollution,,..etc. When will we ever learn.
i guess it is never too late
count me in …
Tram is fine. But Penang Transport Authority needs to ensure that feeder bus service is there. How many corridor can the Tram Line operate? Can’t be all over Penang like the bus system right?
In Kuching,, Sarawak someone says that the CM is keen on Tram system but someone advises that “fix your poor bus passenger transport” first.
Those who have been to Vienna or Amsterdam or Rome and various other European cities will understand the concept of trams and how efficiently it works. I am all for it also and i believe it will work in Penang (provided it covers the whole island like the MRT in Singapore).
Tram is fine but I personally feel that it is not practical with the current road condition in Penang.
I would support the Aerobus system which was brought up some time ago.
i agree too TRAM in penang.
Rail services: Can Ultra Light Rail provide the third way?
Somewhere between a tram and a bus, Ultra Light Rail (ULR) has the potential to bring reliable, cost-effective and environmentally friendly public transport to towns and cities across the country. Can it realise that potential?
The concept of ULR involves using lighter weight, smaller capacity and consequently lower cost vehicles than a conventional light rail system. The size and low impact of the vehicles means that they are ideal for use in pedestrian areas, in historic town centres and even inside shopping centres or other building complexes.
The shallow-laid rails used by the vehicles (usually about 10 centimetres deep) can be moved easily and allow underground services such as water pipes and cables etc to be left in place. This represents a substantial cost saving.
The vehicles are self-powered, with electric or hybrid diesel/electric motors. Energy is stored on board by batteries or flywheels, and power can be topped up at stops. This on-board power supply obviates the need for any form of wayside power supply or overhead conductors, further reducing costs.
Studies have shown that the cost of building a ULR system is about ₤1 million per kilometre, one-tenth of the cost of a conventional light rail system. The lack of need for extensive infrastructure also means that a ULR line can be constructed in substantially less time than a conventional light rail line.
ULR is thought to be suitable for passenger flows of between 300 and 3000 passengers per hour, in each direction. Staff costs would be similar
to a bus operation, while other operating costs would be much lower than an equivalent bus system. ULR vehicles also incorporate easy access for the disabled.
There are other advantages over the traditional diesel bus system. The low rolling resistance of steel wheels on steel rails means that less energy (about 30 per cent of that required by a conventional bus) is needed to power the vehicles. This makes new sources of power, such as currently expensive ‘fuel cell’ technology, economically viable. This adds up to a low or zero-emission public transit system that is both fuel and cost efficient.
Trams are known to be far more popular with the travelling public than buses. It is reported that trams have a proven record of success in tempting people out of their cars, which buses cannot match. It has also been proven that the laying of tramlines raises property values in neighbouring areas in a way that bus routes do not.
The Bristol experience
The first ULR system to run in the UK was created by an European company, who saw the potential of ULR in the late nineties. They set up a harbourside tramway, running for just under a kilometre along the Bristol waterfront, on the rails left by the defunct harbourside railway.
The six-tonne tram, with capacity for 35 passengers, operated using a flywheel from a 70 volt DC supply picked up from a short stretch of third rail situated at two stops. The extremely popular service ran for two years and carried some 50,000 fare-paying passengers.
The operation of the line was suspended in 2000 owing to a dispute with Railtrack over land needed to extend the service into the town centre itself. Though the line was considered a great success, the company maintained that without the extended service the tramway was not economically viable. In spite of this setback, the operators were so impressed with the system that it has included ULR in its draft Local Transport Plan.
The Kalamata experience
The first completely new system using ULR principles is to be built in the Greek town of Kalamata in the southern Peloponnese, a seaside town and port with a population of 55,000. The Kalamata ULR system will comprise a 5 kilometre route of conventional metre-gauge tramway track, a depot; 23 stops, and eight hybrid diesel electric trams, each with 45-passenger capacity.
It is expected that with the associated civil works, to be carried out by a local contractor, the total project cost will amount to around EUR 8 million (£5 million). This represents only 10 per cent of the cost of building a conventional light rail system. The planned service will provide a tram every seven and a half to ten minutes in each direction. Maximum speed will be 50 kilometres per hour, although it is expected that speeds through Kalamata`s rather narrow streets will seldom exceed 30 kilometres per hour.
ULR makes it possible to provide a modern tram system at no greater cost than a traditional diesel bus network.
Support tram in Penang.
And continue to support Pakatan Rakyat in the next GE.
Who says Pakatan rakyat is not developing Penang?
What had BN done when they had Penang for a few decades? The old ferries? or traffic jams?
I remember the GTCT trolley busses which used to run through our fair city up till around the early 1960s. They were absolutely non-polluting, their only draw-back arising when the trolleys came adrift from the overhead electricity supply lines. I do have a photograph of one of the double decker trolleys taken in front of The Penang Road Police Headquarters Circa 1958 or so if anyone is interested.
in order for our public transport to improve, all our politicians should used public transport.
in Penang, we have roads fr 2 4 lanes narrowing to 1.5 lanes. i suppose we all are good drivers
) it takes a lot of effort to make things happens & people hv to make way for development. otherwise, it will be just as what LKY hd commented during his visit …
learn from hongkong, protect mother earth, use trams
I used to stay in Penang in the early 1990s when Yellow Buses ply GT and BP. Those were the days when I thought that the service could be better.I’m staying in KL now. When I visited Penang after 10 years, the traffic situation is worse especially when there’s less communication between the policy maker and the public. Getting anywhere by taxis means I have to fork out hundreds per day. Just wish that the government will be more proactive in providing better choice for Penangites. Giv ‘em trams just like the KL people have LRT. Looking for another 10 productive years!! Prove it PKR!
Me and my fellow Penangites support the reintroduction of trams back into Penang . Yes I think we would like to have it here to compliment Penang as a Heritage city .
Request to reproduce this article in my blog Justice for Ong Tee Keat
Thanks Justin, please go ahead and reproduce.
I am supporting this noble cause of re-introduction of Trams usage back to Penang . I have made a link to your article . Its done .
You can view it here :http://justice4otk.blogspot.com/
Thanks
Justice4otk
Any type of transportation that will reduce the carbon foot print of the method existingly deployed should be strongly encouraged considering we are a growing population – 6 billion and climbing.
I support clean and efficient public transport. However I don’t think that will be enough to resolve the traffic problem. The state government still needs to do a better job at this especially the many lanes to a sudden bottleneck issue. With the state trying to attract more foreign investor to fill up the high rise, traffic will be becoming worse if not addressed.
In this matter, we can sure learn from other countries which have quite successfully tackled this problem eg. Singapore, Hong Kong etc.
A brilliant initiative which will have a positive impact on the environment and the people. I fully support it and hope it spreads to other cities.
no no no… it cant be done… the island is inhabitted by third world people… the idea if implemented will be rendered useless.. just on the first week of implementation..the island is dirty.. uncivic citizens.. and uncivic motorist
Yes, yes, yes.
Penang is full of motorists that are suicidal…
It’s good for Penang.
May help to change the image of the third world mentality. Hey I am from Penang lah.
The tram was there when the British was in Malaya. Who was the rascals who removed it those days? Why HK still keeps it till now…and is still very well liked and costs only a pittens…This show we have moron-quality decision makers.
It was I who put a plan of a system that would work in Heritage Area ,feeding bus service on outer city area. The State Government is still concidering the system
Ric Francis Engineer Retired
While trams are good, and I am all for trams, I think trams in Penang will do more harm than good. Unlike Melbourne, the roads in Penang are relatively narrow. If you were to add a 2-way tram tracks in the middle of the road (or even 1), this would cause a massive jam.
I understand that cars can move into the tram tracks when there are no trams operating, but think of it. What if a tram were to stop to pick up and drop off in the middle of the road? Will:
1) The road users actually stop just before the tram to enable passengers to get off (or on) from the tram to the side of the road? As far as I know, we are not very disciplined road users.
2) The traffic be acceptable? It is widely known in Penang that one breakdown by the roadside will cause a massive jam. What about trams that keep stopping to pickup and drop off?
Just a thought. Cheers
Bringing back the tram is really a splendid idea, hope this works out. I think this tram thing will definitely materiasised, just a matter of time, i say.
anil, tram will be awesome, but if it is going to be expensive, no one would bother using it except for the tourists. In UK, people can use tram because they are not concerned about the weather. Imagine the heat in Malaysia and are you sure many would make use of tram. I would support this idea, provided the charges is not too expensive. should be cheap. in fact cheaper than taking a cab or even driving. else, it would be a total waste!
I am 100% supportive of the tram.
I think you may be missing the point Discussion was that the trams around Georgetown would be a low fee of about RM 1 or free. If advertising would except the operating costs
Ric
Count me in for bringing back the Trams ! It is good for the people and the state so why the delay.
I 100% support the Trams, no doubt!
This idea is good for the local and the tourist too, Penang has not much things for sight seeing, when my UK friends visited Penang, we noticed many historical buildings (British colony)disappeared. so dissapointed when we went up Penang Hill, nothing to see, the Canopy Walk closed on the day we went.
Only the beaches left but most of the beaches were own by the Hotels, we can’t sit on the deck chair to enjoy the view.
I can say soon or later Penang will consider a ‘DEAD’ town, I hope with the new CM Lim will do something good for the future of Penang.
No, the beaches do not belong to the hotels.
I am indeed for tram…yahoooo…..
I understand the Melaka Tram is running on NGV so it is definitely environmental friendly…. so must introduce the same in Penang.
It is not going to be like the ones in Hong Kong or Europe with electric cables.
Well done PENANG “George Town the Heritage City”. Please bring back the tram.
i love tram…i cant wait them to reintroduce it again!! it is a very nostalgic move and also a very good move, it is i guess a lot cheaper than modern monorail.!
Tram is cheaper but the maintenance is higher. Monorail is more suitable for Penang.
I’m from penang n i would love to see tram in penang.
currently i study in Europe, as i see it here, most of the big cities have a complete and advance transport system that build up from the connection network between the tram, subway, buses and railway. So take the first step towards a better transport system and phase out the private vehicle. ^_^