Latest news with #MutiaraLine
Malay Mail
29-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
MRT Corp aims to keep Penang Mutiara LRT cost under RM16b amid rising expenses
GEORGE TOWN, July 29 — Total expenditure for the Penang Mutiara LRT Line will be capped at RM16 billion, despite escalating construction costs and inflation, MRT Corporation chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Zarif Hashim pledged today. Speaking at a media luncheon, Zarif addressed the evolution of the project's cost, explaining that the initial RM10 billion estimate cited before the federal government took over did not include significant expenses like land acquisition. 'Construction costs have increased between 30 and 40 per cent over the last 10 years,' he said, noting that the RM13 billion budget approved by the Cabinet earlier this year also did not fully factor in inflation, material price hikes, and land acquisition. If all factors were included without cost control, he said the project could potentially reach RM19 billion. 'But we will not do that. We are keeping costs as low as possible. We are calling for tenders to keep costs low so that we can bring down the total project cost to below RM16 billion,' Zarif said, asserting that the Mutiara line will be the most reasonably priced LRT system in Malaysia. He explained that while land acquisition costs are high, MRT Corp is negotiating with the state government for nominal charges on state lands to help manage expenses. The Mutiara Line, which will span 29.5km with 21 stations from Silicon Island to Komtar and across to Penang Sentral in Butterworth, will incorporate several key features. The trains will use a Level 3 autonomous system, which does not require a driver but will have an attendant on board, helping to lower operational and maintenance costs. The line will include a 5km bridge linking the island to the mainland, rising 62 metres above sea level to allow large container ships to pass underneath. It will also feature an uncovered pedestrian and cycling walkway, which will be closed during adverse weather conditions. The line will have an optimised depot site at Pesta that has been significantly reduced from 37 acres to 11 acres through design adjustments and land optimisation. Zarif stressed that the Mutiara Line must become financially sustainable within five years of operation, without heavy reliance on government subsidies. 'We expect to operate it and make it sustainable from fares and advertising revenues,' he said. The state government would consequently not need to support the operational costs and can use the funds to build the next three lines, he explained. Zarif conceded that the Mutiara Line alone will not solve all of Penang's public transport woes, but described it as an "important first step." 'Penang needs at least another three LRT lines, with a total of four, before we can see a real change in public transportation here,' he said. 'Once the next three steps are implemented, we will see dramatic changes.' The Mutiara Line is expected to be completed in 2031, with all four proposed lines — covering areas like Tanjung Bungah, Batu Ferringhi, and Air Itam — projected for full completion by 2050.
Malaysian Reserve
29-07-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
MRT Corp targets open tender for bridge portion of penang lrt line in october
MALAYSIA Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) is targeting to launch the open tender for the proposed bridge portion of Penang's Light Rail Transit (LRT) Mutiara Line project this October. Its chief executive officer (CEO), Datuk Mohd Zarif Hashim, said the design stage has been completed and the company is now awaiting approval from the relevant authorities. 'The bridge design has been carefully developed to provide maximum flexibility for the port industry in Penang to grow, especially considering the economic significance of the sector alongside tourism. 'We have held discussions with the Penang Port Commission to ensure the rail bridge will not obstruct maritime routes,' he told reporters here today. Mohd Zarif said the design of the bridge would take into account shipping lanes, as the port is the lifeline for Penang's future. He added that the possibility that Penang Port might be upgraded into a full-fledged container port, both at North Port and South Port, must be considered. The MRT Corp CEO said the proposed bridge alignment would span between the North and South ports in Butterworth, necessitating careful long-term planning to accommodate future port expansion. 'Our bridge will be 62 metres above sea level, which is taller than the first Penang Bridge, but still within limits to avoid interfering with aviation pathways. 'For safety, fencing will be installed along the bridge, which will also feature a pedestrian crossing linking Butterworth to Komtar on the island,' he said. Looking ahead, Mohd Zarif added that MRT Corp envisions the need for four LRT lines covering both Penang Island and Seberang Perai to deliver full connectivity and long-term transport efficiency. — BERNAMA
The Sun
17-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
MMSB Consult appointed for Penang LRT Mutiara Line project
GEORGE TOWN: Malaysia Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) has appointed MMSB Consult Sdn Bhd as the independent consultant engineer for the Penang LRT Mutiara Line project. The selection followed an open tender process and thorough evaluation. The consultancy will oversee design review, construction, testing, commissioning, and operational phases to ensure compliance with project standards. 'This appointment reflects the Mutiara Line's growing momentum as the project transitions from preparatory stages into construction readiness,' MRT Corp stated. Meanwhile, SRS Consortium Sdn Bhd, awarded Civil Main Contract Package 1, has met key contractual conditions, leading to the issuance of a Notice to Proceed (NTP) on July 15. Pre-construction activities, including soil investigation and environmental monitoring, are already underway. 'Work under Package 1 is set to accelerate,' MRT Corp added. Advance works, including utility relocation and piling, are scheduled to begin in August 2025, with large-scale civil construction expected in Q4 2026.
Malay Mail
01-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Penang still waiting for green light from Transport Ministry for LRT project, says chief minister
GEORGE TOWN, July 1 — The Penang state government is still awaiting the official notice to proceed from the Transport Ministry and MRT Corporation (MRTC) before physical work can begin on the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Mutiara Line project. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state hopes to receive the notice this month. 'Last month, I mentioned one or two months, so this month would be the second. We really hope it can be issued this month,' he said after officiating Penang Transportation Day at Komtar today. He said the notice is crucial to enable SRS Consortium to commence full-scale construction works according to the planned timeline. However, he noted that some preliminary work has already begun on-site, including soil investigation, land acquisition, and compensation for affected landowners. He said the state government has fulfilled its responsibility by handing over all roles related to the LRT project to MRTC. He added that SRS Consortium has also been released from its previous role as the original applicant for the project's implementation. 'The state's relationship with SRS now is only in the context of other components under the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP), but for the LRT project, it has been taken over by MRTC,' he said. He said the main responsibility for the project now lies with the federal government, particularly in issuing the notice to proceed. On traffic management during the LRT construction phase, Chow said it will involve occupying parts of existing roads. 'It is important for contractors to ensure that any occupied road space is replaced by widening the road or using wide areas to maintain the same number of lanes,' he said. He cited the highway construction in Bandar Baru Air Itam, where land adjacent to the site was acquired to ensure two-lane traffic could continue to operate smoothly. Asked about the possibility of congestion charges in Penang, Chow said there are no plans for this at the moment. He acknowledged it may be listed in the PTMP as a potential strategy to address traffic congestion, but the state has yet to consider implementing it. The RM10.5 billion LRT line spans 29.5km, with 21 stations connecting the island's south to the northeast and linking the island to the mainland.
BusinessToday
21-04-2025
- Business
- BusinessToday
Penang LRT: Land Secured, Pre-Construction Advances Ahead Of Schedule
Mass Rapid Transit Corp Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) has secured access to 86 land plots and completed gazettement under Section 8 of the Land Acquisition Act 1960 — a milestone achieved well ahead of its original October 2025 target. The progress comes as part of the Penang Light Rail Transit (LRT) Mutiara Line project, which remains on track and is progressing according to schedule, MRT Corp confirmed in a statement today. The Mutiara Line, stretching 29.5 km and featuring 21 stations, aims to boost mobility across Penang Island and the mainland. The line will connect Penang South Reclamation's Island A to Penang Sentral and Komtar Station, with trains running alternately across both routes to maximise coverage. A critical milestone was the recent approval of advance works under Section 20A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1976, granted on April 15, which further cements the project's forward momentum. The company clarified that SRS Consortium Sdn Bhd — the main civil contractor for Package 1 — is currently working to fulfil several post-award contract conditions. Only after these are satisfied will the official Notice to Proceed (NTP) be issued. MRT Corp explained: 'As the design-and-build civil contractor for Package 1, SRS must finalise the designs and construction drawings for the civil structures within the project scope after receiving the NTP. Another critical aspect of pre-construction work is the relocation of utilities, which must be completed before any station or viaduct-related construction activity can occur.' This statement comes in response to a recent news report quoting MCA vice-president Tan Teik Cheng, who questioned the project's status and highlighted that the official NTP had yet to be issued, despite the LRT's formal launch in January. Related
