It was only earlier this month that the transport minister had said that the proposed elevated LRT might not be the best option for Penang.
“… our (Spad) studies showed that LRT is not the best option for Penang. Maybe the tram or other modes of transportation,” he said on 6 September. “I have asked the top management of Spad to brief the Chief Minister. A meeting will take place soon.”
But at that meeting, the Penang state government was adamant that it wanted to go ahead with the RM8.5bn elevated LRT system – and the Ministry of Transport then “approved” the plan.
How did the Minister of Transport capitulate so easily? Does he now realise that the main thrust of the SRS contractor-developers’ proposal is massive land reclamation for property development in southern Penang – and expensive transport infrastructure projects are needed to justify that 4,500-acre land reclamation?
The ministry’s embarrassing apparent turnaround has come at a time when more and more cities are moving towards street-level trams (the latest being Sydney). Meanwhile, an automated rail-rapid transit (ART) system on virtual tracks has been tested in China. This will cost a fraction of an elevated LRT system and take much less time to construct. And, unlike an elevated LET system, it won’t be an eyesore.
As Spad’s own studies have showed, an LRT line is not the best option for Penang. From what I hear, Spad is more in favour of bus rapid transit and trams (which the Hacrow consultants proposed would be largely elevated or segregated except in the heritage zone).
Now check out these trackless trams or ART as they are known in China.
So why do we want to blow so much money on an elevated LRT line?
The transport minister should explain:
- why his ministry has now ‘approved”” elevated LRT for Penang.
- how SRS Consortium can justify its projected 42 million annual ridership figure.
- who will pay for elevated LRT operational losses that are likely to be incurred in the future.
- why he is willing to ignore Spad’s own studies and Halcrow’s recommendation for bus rapid transit and trams.
- if he has considered modern trams and trackless or virtual track trams.
- why the ‘approval’ was announced by the state government rather than the Ministry of Transport.
- if he is aware that elevated LRT pillars would eat up a lane of road space.
Review the exorbitant RM46bn SRS proposal!
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The proposed LRT route does not pass through populated area, unlikely to attract ridership.
If pass through populated areas, anil and pf will show how elevated lrt and shop houses are not compatible. In both cases pg forum will win
Today we celebrate Mid Autumn Festival, but beware of the Dark Side of The Moon lurking behind to cause racial and religious instability.
14 year old can get married, divorce by 20 with at least 3 kids waiting welfare help according to green moon.
Spot on there.
Isn’t it great living in Malaysia?
Can apply for Federal Social Welfare, State Welfare, BR1M and their Islamic Welfare. And NGOs too are ‘willing” to help those living off the welfare system
Adds all the welfares together and it all exceeds our National Minimum Wage.
Amazing. No wonder so many are unwilling to work.
Entitlement mentality.
Trams are great. Was in Frankfurt and primarily used that in the city.
Fun as a tourist in a tram. Why no comment on hong land tram? Asia teams no good?
Need to lay tracks for tram.
Use Bas Mini simpler and faster.
As tourist tram is great. Why go so far just to try the tram. Why no one comment on hong land tram much nearer and cheaper. Can orso drop in north point and see hokkien kinsmen. Less than rm1 per ride end to end. You orso can try light rail, similar to trams in yuen long. Yuen long can orso eat wife’s biscuits.
The people is the ‘tauke besar’ in new Malaysia https://malaysia.yahoo.com/news/people-apos-tauke-besar-apos-070753922.html SRI AMAN: The rakyat is the actual ‘tauke besar’ (top superior) under the new Malaysia concept adopted by the ruling Pakatan Harapan (PH) Federal Government. Deputy Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Chong Chieng Jen said unlike the previous administration, the current government listens to the aspiration of the people in charting the future of the nation as well as the country’s leadership. “This is among the major changes introduced by PH after assuming the administration of the country following our victory in the 14th General Election on May 9.… Read more »
Being ah pek, can act like tai khor or tai loh or tai koh tai. Being senior citizen can get discounts in public transport and didi must give seats to ah pek??
Please direct your message to Sim who has forgotten the people of Bayan Baru who voted him hoping to have the library restored at Mayang Mall.
Selvam can contact Sim directly?
🙂 🙂 🙂 Gandhi contact Chiang Kai Shek!
Selvam of Bayan Baru? Hmmmmm.
Wakil rakyat dah jadi maharajah .
Project larger,
Coffee thicker
Sim Tze Tzin bigger votes GE14,
Library Bayan Baru disappeared.
He cares more for AP Coconut Community, not Bayan Baru community longing for a library!
Vested interests???
Penang voters are to blame for not allowing at least one Gerakan or MCA be voted in to make noise for Rakyat.
Gerakan Oh Tong Keong now opposition chief in Penang should be a wiser choice in Bayan Baru. Many residents now regretted voting for Sim Tze Tzin who did nothing to allow PDC to overlook public interest and give way to Jabil/Swaroski to overtake cyber library at Mayang Mall.
YB Sim pls hear us we need a library to read newspapers and access internet.
YB Sim please understand 100 days honeymoon is long enough. Need to learn from Anthony Lome to implement new plans fast for Bayan Baru as repeatedly requested by its residents. PKR too involved in internal politics after 509, please turun padang to listen to the people who voted for you.
Wonder why Penang Forum never rally for the library so desired by Bayan Baru folks, from what I have read so far.
Please make an appointment to see your elected rep about this.
Gerakan now pushing for local election in Penang. Jason Loo can check balance greedy developers on island?
Local election in Bayan Baru can bring voices of public directly to the ears of Sim and Saifuddin, both service centres not able to attend to growing needs of the community.
That’s true. But I would still prefer Gerakan as check & balance of arrogant Developer Associated Party.
Sim is heading for extinction! We will see.
Concerned Bayan Baru folks got a psychological boost from tunglang.
You mean ah pek making noise here not enough? Ah pek louder please.
Why umno and those mamak don’t make noise like what they did to tokong? They love chow mien more??? But tung lang begin to dislike chow mian more.
Instigating in a washing machine?
Maybe dap needs rebranding as Developers Action Party.
May be. Have you not heard of getting whatever @ a discount?
Money Sense of brick+mortar development: 1) Elevated LRT for Penang will cost more = more money to be churned by developers 2) Modern trams, trackless or virtual track trams & BRT will cost much, much less = less money / profits to be reaped. Money sense of developers has no proper sense for alternative mode of transport solutions for Penangites except for their sleepless dreams of super-profiteering of 3 islands from sea reclamation down south, which is justified for their financing (via controversial swap deals) of this super-expensive PTMP. Should property bubbles burst in the midst of carrying out this… Read more »
Why ah pek go and buy apple computer and 4wd? Why not buy clone. or kedua. . Better still support pg lang boon siew kapcai
China is now ahead of western nations in developing transport solutions aided by digital tech like this sensor guided ARRT (Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit) – a bus-rail combo without rails!
Soon, this new ARRT development will supersede the ‘old’ + expensive + space consuming LRT, MRT & even the subway. As it is slim, easily dismantled, modified, added-on (coaches) & schedule-managed, it looks more appropriate for Penang’s streets in the near future. Why not make it a trial run (by Rapid?) before we decide it’s feasibility & affordability. It can be dismantled if it does not meet our needs.
This might be a better video for readers who might want to know more about China’s latest Battery Powered Virtual Track Tram . They have a real one that is serving the public.
“World’s first train on virtual tracks” launches passenger services in China
A very good concept. It’ll work well in an advanced law & order society of developed countries with good traffic & rule abiding drivers. Unfortunately Malaysia is no where near there. Try driving in Penang, KL & JB. Probably in two generations from now with good education system this can be achieved. Right now it’s just putting the cart before the horse.
Imagine this system mixing with lesen kopi, lesen terbang drivers, mat rempits, road hoggers, swarms of motorbikers etc. Third world mentality with first world infrastructures don’t mix well.
How does China do it then?
Probably it’s still on trial in Zhuzhou city, Hunan Province.
Have not seen any news of an official launch, even on CRRC’s own website.
Perhaps you have the latest info?
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-05/09/c_137167178.htm
https://www.curbed.com/2017/11/6/16614986/zhuzhou-china-art-rail-bus
http://www.crrcgc.cc/en/tabid/7389/sourceId/10408/infoid/286142/Default.aspx
I’ve attached a youtube video on this page. It already passed testing and trial runs. Currently only one ART /trackless train in public service as explained by their company’s representative. A 3 coach setting cost US$2.2 million but no mention of how much for the road guidance system or the white stripe sensor (per kilometer). As for train stations and payment system it can be develop locally. Wonder if it is possible to attach solar panels on the train’s roof to run non essential electronics like WiFi, lighting and fans/air blower. Interesting to know that there is a trackless train… Read more »
Hard labor for traffic offences!
Include pedestrians for jaywalk, kapcai and cyclists for riding against traffic and foot paths and parking on 5 ft way?? Or pedestrians and kapcai riders have rights than motorists??
Please go and visit China and down under. The roads are very very wide. There are 3 motor lanes plus a bicycle lane on one side. Hundred of cities itself have population over a two million people
Maybe with a wholesome public transport system in place, there will be more among the population who use it satisfactorily thus do not feel need to acquire car also no need to get illegal license also result in less vehicles on roads meaning more safety also easier for parents to deny requests for motorcycles from their hyper active teenagers meaning less rempit and more good things. No issue about cart before horse. Put in place a wholesome public transport and for sure society productivity will increase drastically.
Exactly. My friend who worked & stayed in SingLand since the 1980s doesn’t have a driving license! I wonder how much he saved on no car maintenance, even if he travelled by cab.
Ah pek, having a car in singland, make him pokkai. Worst than having a darling or being a sugar daddy. Our wise man LKY, said how can an island with limited land provide spaces for cars. Singland has to reclaim more land. In Hong land, owning a car spce cost more than a condo in peng land.
Your friend saved so much he can buy 2 or 3 condo in peng land. Your friend must be very happy that developers are developing peng land. He can retire happily. Only his counterpart, ah gee and ah Jo.
Penang government can impose COE, the people will be afraid to own and drive cars.
How do be wholesome when ah pek and few writers complain waiting for 50 mins for wholesome public transport. How many walk, skate board, roller skate, bicycle, kapcai, bechah to all those seminars on PIH? Those denounce PIH, wants to go home asap or to look for one ton mee, will hurry back by cars!!