SEVERAL long-planned transport and infrastructure projects in Penang will move into the construction and delivery phase this year.
State infrastructure, transport and digital committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the Penang Light Rail Transit (LRT) Mutiara Line, being built under the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP), would be advancing following completion of preparatory works.
Another major project that is progressing is the Penang Hill Cable Car.
“Substructure works are underway, while the main building is scheduled to reach about 80% completion this year with operations targeted to begin in June 2027,” said Zairil.
It links Penang Hill with the Penang Botanic Gardens, complementing the existing funicular train and enabling access whenever it shuts down for bi-annual maintenance.
Zairil said 2026 would also see a series of smaller but commuter-focused improvements rolled out across the state, such as road upgrades, junction enhancements, and traffic dispersal projects to ease bottlenecks in key areas.
“Public transport will continue to be strengthened through improvements to the bus network, expansion of Rapid On-Demand (ROD) services and continued state subsidies for Pas Mutiara fares, keeping public transport affordable while improving first- and last-mile connectivity.”
( May 05, 2025 )
— LIM BENG TATT/The Star
He said the state would be managing construction impacts via phased work schedules, traffic management plans and close monitoring particularly in environmentally sensitive areas like Penang Hill.
“Environmental protection measures including slope stabilisation and vegetation preservation are also being enforced, with regular progress reviews to keep projects on track,” he assured.
Meanwhile, Penang Island City Council (MBPP) rolled out a free shuttle service under the Rapid Penang Central Area Transit (CAT) system to Hospital Pulau Pinang effective Jan 1, with an estimated RM1.7mil annual cost.
Mayor Datuk A. Rajendran said the service was aimed at encouraging use of public transport, easing congestion and addressing parking space shortage at the hospital.
“It will cover an 8km stretch from Komtar to Penang Hospital, with stops at three hospital buildings, a government health clinic and several schools along the way,” he said.
Three buses will be allocated for the service, operating at 20- to 30-minute intervals on weekdays.
Stops include Komtar, the Jalan Macalister health clinic, JKP Tower, Padang Brown, City Stadium, Island Hospital, Penang General Hospital, Penang Nursing College and LohGuanLye Specialists Centre.
Rajendran also said the No Waiting Zone 2.0 (NWZ) expansion was underway.
“More zones will be designated as NWZ, especially around schools, hospitals and major commercial streets,” he said.
“MBPP plans to introduce AI-assisted enforcement and e-ticketing for higher compliance at the NWZs.
“The new spots will join the original five main streets around George Town that were declared ‘no waiting zones’ from June 1 last year, to reduce traffic congestion caused by vehicles stopping and waiting on the side of the road,” said the mayor.
So far, MBPP has implemented a “no stopping zone” on part of Jalan Jelutong from Jalan Ahmad Nor to Jalan Bukit Dumbar, and part of Burma Road from Cantonment Road to Jones Road.
The other roads involved are portions of Macalister Road from Anson Road to Penang Road; Pengkalan Weld from Gat Lebuh Melayu to Gat Lebuh Chulia and Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling from Lebuh Bishop to Lebuh Chulia.
