More rail access for Penang

GEORGE TOWN: The planned light rail transit (LRT) linking the island and the mainland will be connected to two other train services planned for the state.

This proposed fourth link across the sea will have interchange stations in Gelugor on the island and Taman Supreme on the mainland.

From the Taman Supreme interchange, cross-channel commuters can switch to the proposed Raja Uda-Bukit Mertajam Monorail.

This monorail stretches from Permatang Tinggi in south Seberang Prai to Sungai Dua in the north. The line will have 22 stations, passing Alma, Bukit Mertajam, Bandar Perda, Taman Supreme, Sunway Carnival Mall and Penang Sentral.

Island commuters can change trains and get on the proposed Bayan Lepas LRT with 26 stops between Komtar and the airport.

In obtaining the thumbs up from the state government on Wednesday, SRS Consortium Sdn Bhd Szeto Wai Loong presented a Penang map showing the proposed rail linkages.

Two more railway lines proposed by SRS Consortium are the Air Itam monorail with 13 stops between Paya Terubong and Komtar and the Tanjung Tokong Monorail with nine stops between Tanjung Tokong UDA Flats and Komtar.

Szeto said that the plans would now be submitted to Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) for study and it would be put on public display in June.

There are currently two bridges between the island and the mainland, while design and planning work for a 6.5km undersea tunnel between Gurney Drive and Bagan Ajam are underway.

The consortium is the project delivery partner for the RM27bil Penang Transport Master Plan.

The Star reported yesterday that the planned cross-channel LRT will stretch from Gelugor to the Prai Industrial Estate. The LRT track will wind through housing estates beginning with Taman Supreme before reaching Penang Sentral.

Construction of the George Town-Butterworth LRT and the Raja Uda-BM Monorail is expected to be after 2026, while work on the Bayan Lepas LRT is expected to start in 2018.

When contacted, urban planning specialist and editor of Pilot Studies for a New Penang, Datuk Dr Goh Ban Lee said the LRT was a much needed project.

“As far as I can remember, we have never thought of a train service between the island and the mainland,” said Dr Goh.