Read this excerpt from a Singapore Straits Times report:
To quickly disperse traffic in the Bukit Chagar area when the RTS Link is up and running, a driverless tram-bus network called the autonomous rapid transit (ART), which runs on tracks across bridges and viaducts, is expected to serve passengers, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said on Feb 13.
The elevated ART system is favoured by Malaysia’s federal government to connect passengers to other parts of southern Johor state, Mr Loke told reporters, compared with a light rail transit (LRT) system that would be more costly to build and take a longer time to complete.
“An LRT system can only accommodate a single rail system, whereas the ART can have the flexibility of both a bus and rail (tram) system,” he said.
“The implementation of the (ART) system is also more economical and it can be built faster,” he added at the signing ceremony for the project, which is jointly developed by Malaysia’s Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRT Corp) and local conglomerate Sunway Group.
A Johor state official said recently that such LRT and ART networks could cost around RM20 billion and RM7 billion, respectively.
The federal and state governments must explain why they are opting for an expensive RM17bn LRT system in Penang when they are choosing a more economical option for Johor.
Remember, the Penang state government’s annual budget is around RM1.0bn while the Penang Island City Council’s annual budget is around RM0.6bn.
How will the federal government, which is already saddled with RM1.5tn in debt, finance the LRT? And who will pay for any annual operational losses if the LRT ridership falls short of projections?
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Feb 24 — MACC has seized more than RM100 million in cash during a raid at the home of an aide to former prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
MACC confirmed today that former prime minister Ismail Sabri is one of the key suspects in an ongoing corruption investigation involving hundreds of millions of ringgit in government funds.
The Ayer Itam–Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway (Penang) bypass was originally planned for early this year, but that’s definitely out of the question. However, is there a chance it will be done by the end of the year?
Johor Bahru opted for ART because the RTS will start running in less than 2 years and LRT will take more than 5 years. ART is a quick solution otherwise JB city area near RTS station and CIQ will face serious traffic congestion and jam. So please know the reason before lauding Johor for ART!
Not lauding them. But they are saying different things about LRT vs ART for Johor and Penang.
“The direction for Johor Bahru today is to proceed with the elevated ART system, It has viaducts and specified lanes … a bus-rail concept that is more flexible than the LRT. (Going with the ART) is also what was requested by the Johor state government,” Anthony Loke said.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-southern-johor-art-bus-tram-network-traffic-congestion-4935631
Can’t wait to see the specially built ramps/roads for the ARTs become lorong tikus and racing place for rempit and basikal lajak. If they’re smart they should build a dedicated track just like the Sunway BRT which is cutoff from the rest of the road network. Maybe in the future they can ‘upgrade’ it to an LRT by just switching out the track part and leaving the pylons.
Johor’s readiness in question as RTS Link nears completion: Infrastructure, traffic, rising land prices, and cost of living concerns grow
https://theindependent.sg/johors-readiness-in-question-as-rts-link-nears-completion-infrastructure-traffic-rising-land-prices-and-cost-of-living-concerns-grow/
JB’s ART is a desperate option?
Why Malaysia Is STILL Not Ready For Johor-Singapore RTS Link
JB ART is elevated one.
Does that mean there will be columns built like LRT provide dedicated tracks?
Is the whole stretch elevated or only ramps above busy intersections etc like what Halcrow had recommended for the trams in Penang (before SRS changed the plans)?
Transport Minister Anthony Loke explained that ART “has viaducts and specified lanes … a bus-rail concept that is more flexible than the LRT”, Additionally, construction time played a crucial role in the decision. “The LRT takes many years to build, five to seven years at the earliest. The ART is simpler and can be built faster.”
Mutiara line LRT: Works to begin in Q3, over 100 land lots (including private land, state government land, and land owned by the Penang Development Corporation, Penang Island City Council, and Penang Islamic Religious Council) earmarked for acquisition
http://www.nst.com.my/amp/news/nation/2025/03/1187234/mutiara-line-lrt-works-begin-q3-over-100-land-lots-earmarked-acquisition
If JB gets funding for LRT and not Penang, then many Penangited will not be happy, right?
KL oredi has tens of billions for funding and Penang has been contributing so much to BN government
KL is going to impose road charges to curb congestion. Soon in Penang?
Yes, one way to defray the cost of running LRT. Win win for all!
Penang City Council (MBPP) increased parking fees by 50%, effective March 1.
Under the revised rates, MBSP hourly parking is 80sen, up from 40sen, while the daily rate went up from RM3 to RM6.
Monthly parking passes rose from RM75 to RM150. A new short-term option of 40sen for 30 minutes was introduced.
https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2025/03/01/parking-fee-hike-draws-ire
Baik naik parking fees, galak orang car pooling waktu masuk bandar.
https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/735794 Can save billions – 20 Billions can build KL MTR. Also save lives and time
Orang Penang cukup bangga akan ada LRT. Satu pencapaian terbaik buat pengangkutan awam.
Tetapi siapa akan tanggung beban kos atau rugi projek ini? Dan bukan semua orang Penang yang dapat menggunakan LRT ini.
Cable car untuk Bukit Bendera akan merosakkan eco system dan merugikan seperti dengan feri Baru ???
Penang could implement Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system as used in Singapore?
https://www.straitstimes.com/life/made-in-singapore-erp-and-the-polarising-traffic-solution-pioneered-by-the-republic
” Congestion charge can cut KL traffic by 20%, says minister ” by Chia Wan Rou dd 27 Feb 2025, 12:52 PM https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2025/02/27/congestion-charge-can-cut-kl-traffic-by-20-says-minister/ ======== The government leaders created and allowed the traffic problem to fester. Now that it has become a monstrous issue, they want to find an easy way out by imposing congestion charges, further taxing the already burdened Rakyat. It seems that we, the Rakyat, have to pay for their folly. Why can’t they do their jobs intelligently so that we, the Rakyat, can live our lives peacefully? We may now have to face congestion charges on top of… Read more »
Senior Rakyat 8 – how to leak when AI dont get paid? You say billions and billions of leak, bring proof to mACC.. Out of billions, cant produce one?
The Urban Renewal Act is heading to Parliament: What you need to know about how ‘en bloc’ sale affects strata homeowners
https://www.malaymail.com/amp/news/malaysia/2025/02/24/the-urban-renewal-act-is-heading-to-parliament-what-you-need-to-know-about-how-en-bloc-sale-affects-strata-homeowners/167325
Is Aliran supporting this URA initiative?
There are many old housing estates in bad condition in Penang. Will it be fair to residents or developers?
same as shophouses in Chulia street.50 years of service, they need maintenance. They maintain their cars and not houses
This can facilitate enbloc sale of Komtar Phase 1 shoplots, currently due to strata constraint cannot redevelop the 3 floors with a minority of stubborn owners who do no want to let go to PDC unless with high market prices.
Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim menegaskan akan melawan pihak yang merancang untuk mengadakan perhimpunan besar-besaran bagi membantah cadangan kerajaan memperkenalkan Akta Pembaharuan Semula Bandar (URA).
Beliau berkata, Rang Undang-Undang (RUU) itu bukan mengkhinati orang Melayu seperti didakwa pihak terbabit sebaliknya membela golongan itu menikmati taraf hidup yang lebih baik dan selesa.
PMX berkata beliau tidak akan membiarkan rakyat hidup dalam kediaman yang sempit dan usang, sebaliknya akan menggunakan kuasa yang ada untuk menyediakan rumah yang lebih selesa dengan kemudahan yang lebih baik untuk rakyat.
JB and Kuching has been using ATRs and I have been asking any feedbacks on ATRs and it seems many have been talking about ATRs but no feedback. In HK trams, octopus is used and the fare is standard regardless of the distance travelled. The amount is deducted when the passenger alights in the front door next to the driver. Fortunately, the Octopus card can be used in restaurants and markets but they have to pay handling fees
LRT uses AI to run. One operator hiding behind the monitor like Rakyat can operates a few LRT at the same time. LRT is faster. We prepay our tickets at the boarding station. ART has to get a driver, collects fare and issue tickets at the same time. What happen if someone use rm50 notes? Driver can just slam onto the brakes!
No reason why people cannot buy prepaid tickets beforehand for buses and trams/ART as well.
LRTs are using stations about 20 mins walking distance apart from each other. They are gated and have tracks. ARTs operate like buses and stops are closer to each other. They dont have stations. Drivers have to watch out in case they encroach onto the opposite lane and collide with opposite vehicles or crossing vehicles. Where to buy prepaid tickets and what happen if one buy for ticket for next stop but get down at end of stop? Who bears the loss?
Earlier, in another discussion about the Penang LRT, you mentioned that we were incorrect regarding its ownership. You stated, ‘the state will never tell you; you’re asking the wrong party.’
Since you claim to have knowledge on this matter, could you please clarify? If you cannot provide an answer, we will have to assume that you might not have accurate information or may not actually know the details.
The total revenue from passenger car sales in Malaysia is expected to reach US\$14.4 billion in 2025. The average price of a passenger car in 2025 is expected to be US\$23,550. In 2024, Malaysia sold about 747,000 passenger cars, which is an increase from 2023. This was part of a total industry volume (TIV) of 816,474 units, which is a record for the country.
There are 39 millions cars according to PKR MPs. He wanted more new cars to replace old bone shakers
Will Penang be implementing ‘congestion Charges’ on heavy traffic area to ease congestion, as KL is implementing it soon?
George Town in Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Johor Baru are the three cities identified for the initial rollout of proposed congestion charges, the Dewan Rakyat heard.
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/02/27/kl-jb-and-george-town-identified-for-possible-congestion-charge-rollout-dewan-rakyat-told