Home Society Public transport Poor public transport connectivity between Butterworth and George Town

Poor public transport connectivity between Butterworth and George Town

Anil Netto
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143
Poor public transport connectivity between Butterworth and George Town

In this video, YouTube user Poon points to the poor state of public transport connectivity between Butterworth and George Town. This is so true. (Thanks to the heads-up from blog reader Luca.)

I always wondered why there could not be a minibus connecting Butterworth to George Town via the ferries, so that passengers don’t have to get off and on the buses when they reach the ferries. The minibuses could just enter the ferries and head to their hubs on the island and mainland. Wouldn’t that be far easier and cheaper than an “undersea LRT”?

The other option is, of course, water taxis from Butterworth to Gurney Drive and Butterworth to Queensbay.

But first of all, shouldn’t we have a new statewide sustainable mobility masterplan before talking about the LRT for the whole state? Put all options on the table and hire world-renowned sustainable mobility experts (with no connection to any infrastructure companies) to evaluate the most eco-friendly option for Penang.

Just look at how they built the monstrous and pedestrian-unfriendly Penang Sentral in Butterworth when they put the cart (major terminal) before the horse (no state-wide sustainable mobility masterplan).

143 COMMENTS

  2. “Thailand’s land bridge project will benefit Malaysia, says Anwar”
    by FMT Reporters dd 27 Nov 2023, 8:03pm

    https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2023/11/27/thailands-land-bridge-project-will-benefit-malaysia-says-anwar/

    ========

    How badly will Penang Port be effected. Currently, Thailand is sending a good percentage of its manufactured and raw goods, etc through Penang Port. How about Ocean going ships calling at Port Klang and Johor Ports, etc?

  3. “Too early to gauge impact of Thailand’s proposed land bridge, says Tengku Zafrul” by Benjamin Lee dd Wednesday, 22 Nov 2023 1:50 PM MYT

    https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2023/11/22/too-early-to-gauge-impact-of-thailand039s-proposed-land-bridge-says-tengku-zafrul

    ========

    “Malaysia’s ports would not necessarily be as heavily affected by the land bridge due to differences in transportation methods. ( What differences )

    “While the land bridge will allow cargo to bypass Malaysia, this will likely bring about its own pros and cons. ( What kind of pros and cons )

    “At the end of the day, you will still need to do both land and sea,” he said.

  4. >>> Still, what kind of impact will it have on our land and sea – transportation business, etc. If no idea, please have a dialogue with our shipping people. 

    Also it is not too early to gauge what kind of impact it will have on our economy. Remember, ” Forewarned is Forearmed ” In this proposed land bridge, if materializes, Thailand has an advantage and for China, a bargaining chip to its advantage and some others too.

  5. “Nothing to worry about, says Loke on Thai land bridge idea”
    by Lynelle Tham – 21 Nov 2023, 7:20pm

    https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2023/11/21/nothing-to-worry-about-says-loke-on-thai-land-bridge-idea/

    ========

    “Loke also said the idea for the land bridge had been talked about for many years but nothing had materialised.”

    >>> But what if this time it does, under their current PM?

    “Malaysia is also building one, which is the East Coast Rail Line (ECRL) between the Straits of Melaka and the South China Sea,” he said.”

    >>> Well, its usage may or can be greatly reduced, what then?

  6. “Thailand takes US$28bil plan to bypass Melaka Strait to US”
    by Bloomberg dd 15 Nov 2023, 1:35pm

    “Thai prime minister Srettha Thavisin tells investors in San Francisco that the project can cut travel time by an average of four days and lower shipping costs by 15%.”

    https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2023/11/15/thailand-takes-us28bil-plan-to-bypass-melaka-straits-to-us/

    ========

    How will this project impact our Malaysian ports and by that our economy and foreign investments, etc etc etc?

  7. “High prices and spread of extremist religious ideologies ailing Langkawi, says Tourism Minister” by Justin Zack dd Wednesday, 15 Nov 20239:54 PM MYT

    https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2023/11/15/high-prices-and-spread-of-extremist-religious-ideologies-ailing-langkawi-says-tourism-minister

    ========

    If one wants certain rules to be followed, might as well put up proper signs on rules and regulations and cost of staying, at the entrance of seaports and airports.

    This will help both for local and foreign tourist, to understand and know what to do and how to follow. This way we can avoid any kind of arguments and finger pointing on the issue. 

    If one must know it is the tourist prerogative, if they wish to come or not, if they wish to buy what one is selling, they are the customers and its their money to spend how and where they wish.

  8. Meanwhile, note the difference below,

    “A place to get away from it all” by Yee Xiang Yun dd Thursday, 16 Nov 2023

    https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2023/11/16/a-place-to-get-away-from-it-all

    ========

    We are living in the same country, are we not? 

    As for Penang, our Pearl of the Orient, an island with mainland, sandy beaches, green hills and heritage sites, where anywhere you stand there are delicious food, accommodations and transport and no unnecessary restrictions except that we wish ” tourists will be mindful about cleanliness, avoid littering and refrain from discarding trash into the sea”

    Otherwise, enjoy yourselves to your hearts content and come again.

  9. Mr Anil should let his interns to run this blog so as to be relevant with fast changing landscape we are in now. Just a suggestion.
    At same time, change the title to fans_of_anilnetto.com to avoid legal implications should there be unfortunately

  10. “Fencing around eatery raises ire of residents” By Bavani M
    dd Friday, 20 Oct 2023

    https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2023/10/20/fencing-around-eatery-raises-ire-of-residents

    ========

    What utter rubbish reasoning is this. What about the safety of the pedestrians? Is that not the reason why five foot ways are factored in building planning, for the pedestrian to have a safe passage way to walk safely along the street.

    “A DBKL spokesperson said such obstructions were illegal and have informed our Enforcement Department about the matter and are waiting for their feedback”

    What!! What fishy kinda answer is this, ” waiting for their feedback”
    when the spokesperson has already said it is illegal and should be taking immediate ACTION.

  11. What is happening there, can happen here too and for that matter, anywhere and everywhere else in our Nation. Greedy business people, lustful for extra money will copy what other business people do and will compromise ethics and morality to get it.

    That is why we have the Law, its rules and regulations to follow. Guidance and enforcers of the law, please take note. That is your job, your duty and responsibility.

  12. “‘Topless Tony’ in AirAsia meeting ruffles internet’s feathers”
    BY The Vibes Team dd 17 Oct 2023 9:00PM

    https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/99458/topless-tony-in-airasia-meeting-ruffles-internets-feathers

    ========

    “Business as usual for Capital A CEO while getting shirtless massage”

    This is what we call, taking a cooperate meeting to a whole new lower level. It is after all a low cost airline, right. So, suck it up and take it for what it is.

    • Tony is trying to deflect attention to this bad news:

      AirAsia X Bhd (AAX) suffered a setback on Thursday in its attempt to get itself uplifted from its Practice Note 17 (PN17) status. AAX said Bursa Securities had rejected the airline’s application for proposed relief and PN17 upliftment.

    • Under Budget 2022, RM31 billion was set aside for subsidies but by the end of the year, nearly RM80 billion had been given away, the highest amount ever spent on subsidies in a single year.

      Under Budget 2023, the government raised the portion for subsidies to RM55 billion but indications are that a lot more will have been spent before the year is out.

      Budget 2024?

    • Budget 2024: Targeted subsidies will be introduced in phases from next year onwards. These include subsidies for electricity and diesel. The savings will then be channelled to increase the cash aid given under the Rahmah Cash Aid scheme (STR), with the allocation increased from RM8 billion to RM10 billion in total.

  19. penang sentral is a transport hub. Transport hub is for taxis, cars, buses, ferries and api. Passengers dont walk up to upper floors and then walk down to respective floors to take. Those come by cars have to go up like overhead bridge. Otherwise the cars can jam buses trying to enter or exit the hub on the ground floor.

  20. there is no integration and coordination in public Transport. In fact it is very difficult and planners ley the law of nature take place. Public bus can be delayed by traffic lights, jams and even passengers boarding and alighting. Ferries cant wait for the buses. Ferries have their own world just like buses have their time.

    • Looks good. Make sure no illegal hawkers around spoiling the scene. Set up some food kiosks and maintain hygiene and cleanliness.

    • Not sure MPPP to include a multi storey car park there to cope with existing insufficient parking bays ?
      Anil being a member of PF could have seen the master plan to enlighten us?

      • why build when can they can run a EV shuttle buses. More land is required for parking – either shrink the size of Gurney or go and build more land in the sea.

    • From Mainland to Gurney School? Then more people will migrate to the island for there is do nothing in mainland except PAS.

      • A new documentary film on the 1MDB state fund scandal, Man On The Run, will hit Malaysian cinemas on October 19.

        It follows Jho Low, a mysterious businessman, and a playboy, as he masterminds a scheme to exploit 1MDB.

      • Waiting so long Anil got no new posting? Lately power grab issue in DAP Penang position no report? Seems like the power hungry former CM trying to unseat current CM?

      • No open tender, CM Chow in trouble? Winning of the end?

        Niaokong is ready to pounce?

      • Niaokong not off the net yet with alleged tunnel commissions. Internal squabbles originated from business ventures turned sour.

      • I think there was a request for proposals, which may not exactly be the same thing as ‘open tender’.

      • Actually it should go about 3 years back when PH lost the Rakyat’s mandate and the then FM lost his minister post.

        Thought he was going to come back to Penang and ask to return back his earlier CM post from current CM. But things were quiet until now.

        In between then and now, when PH won GE15, he was hoping for any government post. Again, all was quiet on the PH unity front.

        So, look up, look down, look left, look right, look front, there was only the CM post which was within DAP.

      • Very long no new posting. Anil ran out of topics?

        How about new Penang development or new food scene in Penang? Currently many Penangites on 9-day vegetarian diet.

      • Hi Jammy, I’ve been busy with work. Sorry about the long absence. Will try to post soon. A lot of things happening, especially Gaza, that PDC land deal in Penang, the reclamation, “LRT” etc.

      • CM Chow was a honest reporter and could have been to naive in business world that he could have fallen into the scheme of things happening in PDC?

      • This will trigger Anil for new posting:

        The police have arrested four individuals, including PSM chairperson Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj, for trying to stop the eviction of farmers in Kanthan, Tambun, in Perak.

      • Thanks Brocky. They were released on police bail at 8pm. We should be protecting our farmers and safeguarding our food security and not undermining them.

      • This is happening at PMX constituency Tambun while PMX is too busy on Palestine matter. Why victimise farmers when we are having food shortages and high food price?

      • Yes, but DAP is the strongest supporter of Unity leadership with about 40 seats.

        So, whatever their coalition leadership and the government does in action or in speech or do not do due to wrong priorities, do know that regardless of, DAP gives its fullest support to it.

        And we all know who’s DAP’s shameless majority and minority supporters are. In the matter of food shortages, high food price, etc and victimization what has DAP done or have suggested so far to resolve these issues ?

      • Telling the wrong guy. Should asked pkr having finance, econ, agri ministries. You want the youth ministries to ask youth clubs to grow more kangkong and catch fish for more belcan?

      • PMX is too busy on solidarity matters of middle east nature, at the expense of the plight of local people? Where is the priority? He need reminder from PSM.

      • This is a serious issue. A time bomb waiting to explode. What if our seniors have no money forctheir twilight years and the government with high debt and big bloated civil service cannot offer more aid and goodies?

      • No problem. We are good in asking handouts. Fishermen, planters etc get help. Why not rest?

      • Tough days ahead if no enough money for retirement days. Old age needs more meduxal xare meanjng more money. Enjoy today without prper savings woll mean difficult days wgen old.

      • Bossku hit by COVID now can enjoy Hospital stay, aircond with better bed than the Kajang prison. Maybe he wish he could get longer MC to enjoy this luxury?

    • Need to revamp the school sejarah syllabus to show the significance of Hinduism and Buddhism in Malaya before the Arabs brought in Islam.

      • Similarly last time we have traditional provision shops and kopitiam. Now such business are slowly and surely been replaced by foreign Family Mart/CU and Starbucks/Zus respectively.

      • Spoil market! But young people can spend! Sad! Maybe too much pocket money from rich parents!

      • From respective country minimum wage perspective, a US worker can pay for a Starbucks Latte with 15 minutes of work. A Malaysian worker needs to work 1.5 hours to afford a Starbucks Latte here.

        We should support our local kopitiam, not those overpriced fancy specialty coffee chains.

      • Government should impose tax of 10 sen per cup of such specialty coffee. Collect the money to help the poor!

      • 10 sen? One day sells 100 cups – only RM10. One month only RM300. How much can RM300 do?

      • Coffee brand … in Malaysia is fighting against boycott efforts after allegations that its logo and name were derived from the Greek god Zeus. It has a striking logo with the face of a bearded man in white, over a deep blue circle with the words… in a serif font beneath it.

      • Young ones are went to uni like AA everyone can fly. Who wants to be shop keepers and have to work long hours 7/11/3

      • Support local kopitiam. Local coffee is cheaper and helps the lifelihood of local people. Drink foreign brand money end up repatriated to the franchisors overseas. Ah Huat kopi or Ali Cafe is good enough for locals.

      • Very laughable for certain people to believe that Lee and Lim are from the same family tree.

        Maybe some can assume using the same twisted logic that our football legend Soh Chin Aun is somehow related to Chin Peng?

      • Need to improve the walkability aspect in the heritage zone, possibly close the road from vehicles on certain days to allow street activities like flea Market and street performance.

      • For people addicted to Western propaganda, aircon, cars, selfies, etc., walkability is a strange idea.

      • Problem is hot weather and one wet with sweat even just standing without moving a step in the afternoon. Plant shady trees along foot parh

      • The You tube is not old Penang. The commercial area is build along an arterial road and on both sides are side road to service the commercial and business area, Who wants to walk along the arterial road when one can see more on the side roads with shade, finger licking food and kopi or.

    • YB Sim half cooked bicycle path now to become pedestrian walk?

      Noble idea to encourage cycling but the Bayan Baru traffic can be chaotic with motor vehicles which can pose danger to cyclist when safety at times can be overlooked by over zealous car drivers?

      Also there is no bicycle parking spots and cyclist cannot park and go shopping. Return from shopping the bicycles can go missing.

      What say you, readers?

      • No, no. They are not just over zealous car drivers. They are plain arrogant and selfish etc drivers. Worst, what these useless over zealous drivers don’t realize or do not care to want to know is that they cause accidents and death to innocent people. 

        But must say there are also now a lot of courteous drivers as well, me included. 

        Also when encouraging cycling, naturally there must be proper parking 
        spaces. Well, if none, what can be said but poor planning.

      • Courteous Driver
        I bet you are one of the limited few drivers who stop for pedestrians at marked yellow zebra crossings.
        Just because drivers pay road tax doesn’t mean they are the kings on the road.
        This subtle ignorance should be highlighted by Penang Forum to gain public support. Instead, PF chooses to be head on colliding with the authority over reclaimation matter.

      • it is the culture started long ago. Cars are king of road a… They should start with Pedestrian malls in parts of penang. – give way to foot traffic

      • Lots of gimmick from YB Sim. Cycling path now well received now he convert to walking path. Cycling not well received so he changed tactics try to convince walking.

      • Boon Siew Kapcai originates from Penang – the Lohs? Everyone can fly AA and everyone can use kapcais to LRTs or Trams stops

      • Mr Shriek
        Reduce Penang island cars by 50%, then I can start riding Loh Kapcai again. Otherwise I don’t want to risk my life.

      • The last mile is not heavy with vehicle. Therefore one can take boon side and help boon side. J

  25. Penang Sentral is a flop from sustainability point of view?

    Veritas Architects was put in charge of the design works of the proposed transit-oriented development, while the construction of Phase 1 was allocated to a subsidiary of MRCB, Penang Sentral Sdn Bhd. Penang Sentral was modeled after KL Sentral, which also incorporated commercial and residential elements.

    • The residential element is missing as Penang Sentral concept not fully implemented. A repeat of Komtar inability to go beyond phase 2.

      • A live-in population, a wide range of complementary amenities and greater accessibility via public transportation will contribute to George Town becoming “a round-the-clock” vibrant commercial district for work, live and play. It will reduce the unnecessary long hours traveling to work (traffic congestion).

      • Batu Kawan industrial project will proceed as planned, says CM Chow

        The Penang chief minister says the PDC has already spent up to RM1 billion on getting the land for the industrial park project and will not abandon it.

      • GEORGE TOWN, Nov 21 — The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) will introduce e-scooters as an alternative mode of transport in congestion prone Bayan Baru next year in a bid to reduce traffic jams.

  26. Efficient connectivity between the straits is critical to bring more glamour to Butterworth, Bagan Ajam and beyond.

    CM Chow has on many occasions claimed the future growth of Penang is on the Mainland. So with more readers publicity, islanders will share glamorous prosperity with Mainlanders?

    I think senior retirees should explore the mainland food which can be more marvelous in terms of price and portion size!

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