Mutiara line explained

Box Width:300px
Mutiara Line
Color:23aae1
Native Name:Laluan Mutiara
Type:Light rapid transit
Status:Proposed
Locale:Penang
Start:Pulau Silikon
End:Penang Sentral
Stations:21
Planopen:2030
Owner:Mass Rapid Transit Corporation
Character:Elevated
Depot:Sungai Nibong
Silicon Island
Linelength:28km (17miles)
Map State:collapsed

The Mutiara LRT line (English: Pearl) is a proposed light rapid transit system in Penang. The 28km (17miles) line is planned to connect George Town's city centre with its southern suburbs of Jelutong, Gelugor and Bayan Lepas, with a link towards Seberang Perai across the Penang Strait. Once completed, it is owned by the Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRTC). The line, a component of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP), is projected to contain 21 stations. Construction of the line is expected to begin in September or October 2024, and will be completed by 2030.[1]

The line was previously known as the Bayan Lepas line, introduced by the Penang state government in 2015 as part of the PTMP. The plan envisaged a rapid transit system along George Town's heavily urbanised eastern shorelines in a north-south axis, with an extension towards reclaimed islands south of Batu Maung. It received conditional approval from the Malaysian government in 2019, and construction was scheduled to begin in 2020 amidst overwhelming public support. However, construction was repeatedly delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and a nationwide political crisis which resulted in a withdrawal of support by successive governments of different political parties.

After the general elections in 2022, the Malaysian government expedited development of the rapid transit line with additional funding, before fully taking over the project from the Penang state government. The line was re-designated and its alignment was substantially redesigned to its present state, which added a cross-strait link from George Town to Seberang Perai.

Overview

The Mutiara line forms the backbone of the Penang Transport Master Plan, an initiative created by the Penang state government in 2015 to improve transport infrastructure throughout the state.[2] Among the components of the plan, the construction of several rapid transit lines, especially a line across the north-south axis of Penang Island's eastern coast, are prioritised for implementation, as the lines will serve a highly densely populated urban and industrial corridor along the eastern coast of George Town, specifically between the city centre and Bayan Lepas to the south.[3] [4] In addition, the transit service would facilitate easier commute for tourists arriving via the Penang International Airport.[5]

History

Initial design

In April 2015, news reports emerged about the proposed Light Rail Transit (LRT) line from Komtar to the Penang International Airport. The 17.5km (10.9miles) line was expected to cost around RM4.5 billion.[6] Chow Kon Yeow, who held the position of Local Government, Traffic Management and Flood Mitigation Executive Councillor at the time, was quoted as saying that the LRT would take five to six years to complete.[7] Months later, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng announced the appointment of SRS Consortium as the Project Delivery Partner (PDP) for the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP). The consortium consists of Gamuda Berhad as the majority shareholder, Penang-based Loh Phoy Yen Holdings and Ideal Property Development.[8]

In December that year, SRS Consortium announced that the construction of the Bayan Lepas LRT would commence in 2018, with the goal of completing it by 2024.[9] The original route of the Bayan Lepas LRT was disclosed in February the following year.[10] The proposed route consisted of 19 stations spanning a 22 km (14 mi) stretch between Komtar and Permatang Damar Laut, with another eight stations planned for the proposed Penang South Islands (PSI) reclamation project, bringing the total length of the LRT line to 30 km (19 mi).[11]

As public transportation falls under the ambit of the Malaysian federal government, in March 2016, the state government submitted the proposed Bayan Lepas LRT system to the federal Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) for approval.[12] [13] [14] An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was also submitted to the federal Department of Environment (DOE) in 2017.

Funding became a contentious issue, as at that point, Penang was an opposition state governed by the Pakatan Rakyat bloc (now Pakatan Harapan).[15] [16] The Najib Razak administration had ignored requests by the state government for federal funding, forcing the state to resort to the PSI reclamation project to fund the PTMP.[17] The state estimated that the sale of the reclaimed islets would generate RM70 billion in revenue, which would help finance the cost of PTMP. Additionally, the development of the islets was projected to result in economic spillover of RM100 billion.

Receiving government support

The PSI project became a political issue prior the elections in 2018, with the incumbent Barisan Nasional federal government opposing the reclamation on the grounds of protecting the livelihoods of the affected fishermen.[18] The PTMP, along with the PSI, formed part of Pakatan Harapan's (PH) 68-point election manifesto for Penang.[19] Consequently, the Bayan Lepas LRT, which was dependent on the reclamation project, did not receive approval until after the elections when PH came into federal power. In 2019, the federal Ministry of Transport gave conditional approval for the Bayan Lepas LRT. The estimated cost of the line had increased to RM8.4 billion.[20]

Detailed plans of the Bayan Lepas LRT were put on public display in 2019 as part of the conditional approval.[21] Despite dissent from certain interest groups, the LRT received close to 98% support from the public.[22] [23] Chow, who succeeded Lim as Chief Minister after the election, stated that construction of the LRT would begin in 2020, and that the state government had secured a sovereign guarantee from the Mahathir administration to issue bonds for the LRT.[24] [25]

Successive withdrawal of government support

Following the Sheraton Move that led to the toppling of the Mahathir administration by the right-wing Perikatan Nasional (PN) in 2020, the federal government rescinded the guarantee for a US$500 million loan application to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for financing the Bayan Lepas LRT.[26] PH politicians from Penang subsequently accused the PN administration of "political vendetta".[27] In the midst of the political feuding and the nationwide quarantine imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the state government announced that they would pursue other financing options for the LRT project.[28] [29] By then, the project was estimated to cost RM9.5 billion.

Revival and redesign

In 2022, the state government initiated a request for proposal (RFP) to obtain private funding and pre-qualify potential operators of the Bayan Lepas LRT.[30] The RFP received eight submissions from local and international consortiums by the end of the year, with the state government planning to commence construction in 2023.[31] [32]

The federal election in 2022 resulted in a unity government headed by PH chairman Anwar Ibrahim. As Prime Minister, Anwar announced additional federal allocations in May 2023 to expedite the development of the Bayan Lepas LRT line.[33] With more funds being made available, the state government decided to scale down the PSI project from three to one islet (Silicon Island).[34]

After months of studies, in 2024, the federal government took over the LRT line, renaming it the Mutiara LRT Line.[35] [36] Mass Rapid Transit Corporation was appointed the developer and asset owner, while SRS Consortium is to be offered the contract for the first segment that stretches from the Silicon Island to Komtar. Significant changes were made to the alignment, including a cross-strait extension from Komtar to Penang Sentral at Butterworth, as well as the relocation of the proposed depot to Sungai Nibong.[37] Following negotiations between federal and state authorities, the alignment was shortened to 28km (17miles), while the Macallum and Sungai Dua stations were designated as interchange stations.[38] The line is projected to be completed by 2030.[39]

Station listing

, the alignment, as finalised by the Penang state government and Mass Rapid Transit Corporation, includes the following proposed stations.[40]

Station service legend
Station contains parking for "park and ride" initiatives
Locality! Station! style="width:15%"
Platform typeOperation dateTransfers
Seberang Perai
ButterworthUnknown
Crossing across the Penang Strait
George Town
City centreMacallumUnknown
Unknown
Crossing across the Pinang River
Solok Sungai Pinang Unknown
JelutongSungai PinangUnknown Penang skycab system (proposed)
Jelutong TimurUnknown
The LightUnknown George TownButterworth line (proposed)
GelugorGelugorUnknown
Jalan UniversitiUnknown
Paya TerubongBatu Uban Unknown
Branch towards rail depot
Sungai DuaUnknown Sungai Nibong bus terminal
Sungai NibongUnknown
Bukit Jambul Unknown
Bayan LepasSPICEUnknown
Jalan Tengah Unknown
FIZUnknown
FIZ SelatanUnknown
Sungai TiramUnknown
Penang International Airport Unknown Penang International Airport
Teluk KumbarPermatang Damar Laut Unknown
Crossing across the Strait of Malacca
Silicon IslandPulau SilikonUnknownProvisional station

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: 29 March 2024 . Construction of Penang LRT project expected to begin in September or October, says CM . Malay Mail.
  2. News: Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP). Penang Property Talk. 2018-05-20. en-US.
  3. Web site: 2 April 2016 . Penang rolls out LRT scheme . The Star.
  4. News: Penang to ease island's transport woes. migration. 2015-04-17. The Straits Times. 2018-05-20. en.
  5. Web site: LRT. pgmasterplan.penang.gov.my. en-gb. 2018-05-20.
  6. News: 16 Apr 2015 . Penang to get first LRT project next year, report claims . 31 Mar 2024 . Malay Mail.
  7. News: 17 Apr 2015 . Penang to ease island's transport woes . 31 Mar 2024 . The Straits Times.
  8. News: Opalyn Mok . 14 Aug 2015 . Local consortium wins bid for RM27b Penang transportation plan . 31 Mar 2024 . Malay Mail.
  9. News: Yimie Yong . 2 Dec 2015 . Penang LRT construction work to start in 2018 . 31 Mar 2024 . The Edge.
  10. Web site: 2016-03-04 . Penang public transport plan revealed – LRT, BRT, monorail and trams to connect island to mainland - paultan.org . 2024-03-31 . Paul Tan's Automotive News . en-US.
  11. Web site: 2019-07-13 . Bayan Lepas LRT – Penang Master Plan . 2024-03-29 . en-US.
  12. Gooi . Hsiao Leung . Gooi Hsiao Leung . Enabling Decentralisation and Improving Federal-State Relations in the Federation of Malaysia . Penang Institute . 29–31.
  13. News: Tan . Sin Chow . 2 Apr 2016 . Penang rolls out LRT scheme . 31 Mar 2024 . The Star.
  14. News: 19 Jun 2017 . Cost of Penang's transport master plan has not surged: Chow . 31 Mar 2024 . The Sun.
  15. News: Opalyn Mok . 27 Jun 2019 . So what exactly is the Penang Transport Master Plan and how is it being funded? . 31 Mar 2024 . Malay Mail.
  16. News: Azhar . Kamarul . 27 Aug 2020 . Cover Story: The long & winding saga of the Penang Transport Master Plan and its political fallout . 29 Mar 2024 . The Edge.
  17. News: 1 Jun 2015 . RMK-11, permohonan P. Pinang tidak dilayan – KM . 31 Mar 2024 . Buletin Mutiara . MS.
  18. News: 26 Aug 2017 . Fate of Penang Transport Master Plan hangs in the balance (Updated) . 31 Mar 2024 . The Sun.
  19. News: Amarthalingam . Sangeetha . 27 Apr 2018 . Penang Pakatan sticks to undersea tunnel, LRT in manifesto . 31 Mar 2024 . The Edge.
  20. News: Idris . Ahmad Naqib . 18 Jul 2019 . Penang gets conditional nod for Bayan Lepas LRT . 29 Mar 2024 . The Edge.
  21. News: 27 Jul 2019 . Public inspection of Penang LRT plan from Aug 19 . 31 Mar 2024 . Free Malaysia Today.
  22. News: Nambiar . Predeep . 29 Aug 2019 . Overwhelming public approval for Penang's LRT project, says CM . 29 Mar 2024 . Free Malaysia Today.
  23. News: 27 Nov 2019 . 97% support for the Penang LRT project: Chow . 31 Mar 2024 . The Sun.
  24. News: 13 Feb 2020 . PTMP: Construction work on LRT, PIL, PSR to begin by Q4 2020, says Chow . 29 Mar 2024 . Malay Mail.
  25. News: Opalyn Mok . 7 Nov 2019 . Armed with federal guarantee, Penang eyes bonds to fund RM46b transport blueprint . 31 Mar 2024 . Malay Mail.
  26. News: Zainul . Emir . 28 Nov 2020 . Putrajaya pulls back govt guarantee for Penang's US$500m loan to finance LRT project . 31 Mar 2024 . The Edge.
  27. News: 28 Nov 2020 . DAP MP slams Putrajaya for cancelling RM2 bil loan guarantee for Penang LRT . 29 Mar 2024 . Free Malaysia Today.
  28. News: Opalyn Mok . 1 Dec 2020 . Penang LRT project to go on with other financing options, says Chow . 31 Mar 2024 . Malay Mail.
  29. News: Sekaran . R. . 20 Jun 2020 . Mega projects in Penang to go ahead . 29 Mar 2024 . The Star.
  30. News: Sekaran . R. . 4 Jun 2022 . Penang to roll out the LRT . 31 Mar 2024 . The Star.
  31. News: Vimal . Kevin . 25 Oct 2022 . CM Chow: Bayan Lepas LRT project should go as planned if we follow the timeline . 31 Mar 2024 . Buletin Mutiara.
  32. News: 21 Oct 2022 . Bayan Lepas LRT construction expected to start in Q4 2023 . 31 Mar 2024 . The Sun.
  33. News: McIntyre . Ian . 6 May 2023 . Putrajaya to provide additional funds for Penang's LRT: Anwar . 29 Mar 2024 . The Vibes.
  34. News: Christopher Tan . 11 May 2023 . Penang South Islands project scaled down to one island – Silicon Island . 31 Mar 2024 . Buletin Mutiara.
  35. News: 29 Mar 2024 . Loke: Federal gov't takes over Penang LRT Mutiara Line project from state gov't . 29 Mar 2024 . The Sun.
  36. News: Azhar . Kamarul . 19 Sep 2023 . Government committed to both MRT3 and Penang LRT, says MOT . 29 Mar 2024 . The Edge.
  37. Web site: 2024-03-29 . 曹观友:横跨槟威海峡 槟城将迎轻快铁大桥 - 地方 - 北马新闻 . 2024-03-30 . 星洲网 Sin Chew Daily Malaysia Latest News and Headlines . zh-CN.
  38. News: McIntyre . Ian . 5 Jul 2024 . Penang shortens LRT line, cuts number of stations . 5 Jul 2024 . The Vibes.
  39. News: Chester Tay . Zainul . Emir . 29 Mar 2024 . Govt offers Gamuda's 60%-owned SRS Consortium works on first segment of Penang LRT . 29 Mar 2024 . The Edge.
  40. News: 4 May 2024 . 槟铁珍珠线22站点出炉 跨海桥衔接槟岛北海 . 5 May 2024 . . zh.