
Loke: LRT project in Penang to start within two months
GEORGE TOWN: With outstanding issues concerning the Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) project now resolved, physical construction is set to begin within the next two months, says Anthony Loke.
The Transport Minister said the resolved matters included the issuance of consent letters from the state government and other technical issues that had previously delayed the project's implementation.
He said the project's main contractor has already awarded preliminary works to sub-contractors in preparation for on-site activities.
'I personally chaired a meeting with the Penang Chief Minister last month and resolved all issues related to the project.
'We can expect physical works to begin within one or two months,' he told reporters after inspecting the Rapid Penang On-Demand (ROD) service yesterday.
The 29.5km Mutiara Line LRT project, which includes 21 stations, aims to improve connectivity between the island and the mainland, while also reducing road congestion and enhancing accessibility.
On the ROD service, Loke said it has been operating with 50 vans, covering 13 zones in Penang (seven on the island and the rest on the mainland) since its introduction in August last year.
He said the average number of daily passengers on weekdays has shown an increase since the addition of zones in March this year.
'An average of 492 passengers per day was recorded in March compared to 159 passengers in February.
'In May, the average daily ridership exceeded the target of 1,944.
'The figure has contributed 4.1% of the total daily average of 47,000 passengers using Rapid Penang services,' he said.
Loke also said the Gurney-Tanjong Bungah route is currently the most popular with 522 passengers daily.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


New Straits Times
a day ago
- New Straits Times
Penang's ferry terminal to get a major glow-up
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Port Commission (PPC) is set to undertake a major upgrade of the Pengkalan Raja Tun Uda (PRTU) ferry terminal as part of broader efforts to modernise ferry services and improve public transport connectivity across the state. Located at the heart of George Town's ferry network, the PRTU terminal will be revitalised with a fresh, contemporary design aimed at enhancing the visitor experience and improving operational efficiency. PPC chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin said a request for proposal (RFP) had been issued. The upgraded terminal is expected to feature a range of new facilities, including open-air parking, a sea-view observatory deck, food and beverage outlets, a garden bridge, and other tourism-friendly commercial amenities. "The enhancement of PRTU is part of a wider initiative to improve Penang's ferry operations, which has already seen the introduction of four new ferries and upgrades to the Sultan Abdul Halim Terminal (PSAH) in Butterworth," he said. "The modernisation of PRTU is intended to strengthen integration between ferry services and other modes of public transport, delivering smoother connections for both locals and visitors. "This redevelopment is more than just an infrastructure project — it is a step towards improving comfort, accessibility, and the overall experience for ferry users, while also contributing to Penang's tourism economy," he told a press conference today. Yesterday, Transport Minister Anthony Loke conducted an official visit to Penang Port. Yeoh said that the new commercial components of the upgraded terminal are aimed at transforming PRTU into not only a transport hub but also a vibrant destination in its own right, attracting both domestic and international visitors. "The upgrade aligns with Penang Port's broader development strategy, which includes port expansion initiatives, green efforts such as solar energy integration, and digital transformation through systems like the Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS)," he said. "The transformation of PRTU reflects Penang's growing emphasis on sustainable urban mobility and supports Malaysia's broader goals of strengthening its maritime and tourism sectors ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026." Penang Port has recently marked several milestones, including the enhancement of the Butterworth North Container Terminal (BNCT), which now handles up to 2.3 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), with improved berth capacity and shorter ship waiting times. The Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT) has also been extended to accommodate Oasis-class cruise ships, enabling simultaneous berthing for up to 12,000 passengers. Loke also reviewed the NBCT Expansion Master Plan, which spans 322.83ha through land reclamation. Another key infrastructure initiative on the horizon is the Northern Petroleum Terminal (NPT) project — a petroleum hub in the northern region designed for bulk storage and capable of handling Medium Range (MR) tanker vessels.


The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Loke: LRT project in Penang to start within two months
GEORGE TOWN: With outstanding issues concerning the Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) project now resolved, physical construction is set to begin within the next two months, says Anthony Loke. The Transport Minister said the resolved matters included the issuance of consent letters from the state government and other technical issues that had previously delayed the project's implementation. He said the project's main contractor has already awarded preliminary works to sub-contractors in preparation for on-site activities. 'I personally chaired a meeting with the Penang Chief Minister last month and resolved all issues related to the project. 'We can expect physical works to begin within one or two months,' he told reporters after inspecting the Rapid Penang On-Demand (ROD) service yesterday. The 29.5km Mutiara Line LRT project, which includes 21 stations, aims to improve connectivity between the island and the mainland, while also reducing road congestion and enhancing accessibility. On the ROD service, Loke said it has been operating with 50 vans, covering 13 zones in Penang (seven on the island and the rest on the mainland) since its introduction in August last year. He said the average number of daily passengers on weekdays has shown an increase since the addition of zones in March this year. 'An average of 492 passengers per day was recorded in March compared to 159 passengers in February. 'In May, the average daily ridership exceeded the target of 1,944. 'The figure has contributed 4.1% of the total daily average of 47,000 passengers using Rapid Penang services,' he said. Loke also said the Gurney-Tanjong Bungah route is currently the most popular with 522 passengers daily.


Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Penang LRT issues settled, says Loke
Transport minister Loke Siew Fook checking out the Rapid Penang On-Demand service which is operating with 50 vans covering 13 zones. (Johnshen Lee pic) GEORGE TOWN : All outstanding issues between the federal government and the Penang government regarding the Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) have been resolved amicably. Transport minister Loke Siew Fook said he had chaired the meeting with Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow at his ministry in Putrajaya last month and resolved outstanding issues, including the release letter from the state government. 'Physical work will begin soon, in one or two months. So we ask them (the state government) to ensure there is a traffic diversion plan when piling work and construction begins to ensure the project doesn't have a negative impact on road congestion,' he said during a media conference after ending his one-day working visit to Penang today. On Rapid Penang On-Demand service by Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd (Rapid Bus), Loke said the service, which began in phases from August 2024, was running smoothly with 50 vans covering 13 zones in Penang – seven on the island and six in Seberang Perai. 'The average daily users stand at 1,944 people, with an average of 39 passengers per van daily and an average travel time of 16 minutes and a waiting time of 19 minutes,' he said. He added that there were 150 additional drivers to handle the vans to ensure smooth operations and that passengers would enjoy a fare of RM1 per trip.