GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) can be extended to Tanjung Bungah on the island, plus Bukit Mertajam and Batu Kawan on the mainland, says MRT Corp business planning and project economics general manager Liyana Zainal.
Once the Mutiara Line is completed by 2031, she said there is potential to extend the alignment to Tanjung Bungah, which has significant tourism and residential activity.
“It could be extended to Bukit Mertajam and Batu Kawan, and of course upwards (on the mainland).”
Liyana said about one million people engaged in economic activities on Penang island daily.
This formed a substantial target market for the LRT, particularly with the cross-channel rail bridge, she said.
She said about 400,000 people commuted daily between the island and mainland, while more than six million tourists visited Penang annually by land and sea.
“Of the daily commuters, 62% travel by car and 34% by motorcycle, while another 6,000 to 7,000 people use ferry services each day.
“While some argue that Penang has a working-age population of 800,000 people, it is important to consider the more than six million tourists annually, as well as the 400,000 daily commuters travelling between the island and mainland.
“This sizeable population will contribute to LRT ridership, demonstrating strong demand and justifying the need for the Mutiara Line,” she said in her keynote address “Catalysing Growth: Unlocking the Socio-Economic Potential of the Mutiara Line” at the International Rail Transit Forum 2026 yesterday.
The forum was officiated by Deputy Transport Minister Hasbi Habibollah and attended by about 300 transport experts, policymakers and regulators.
Construction of the 29.67km Mutiara Line, which will feature 22 stations, began last year.
The RM16.8bil project includes a 6km cross-sea link connecting the Jalan Macallum area on the island to Penang Sentral in Butterworth, with published specifications indicating a vertical clearance of more than 60m.
Penang Sentral will serve as a mainland interchange linking KTM rail, bus and ferry services.
MRT Corp is the project developer and asset owner of the Penang LRT Mutiara Line, overseeing procurement, budgetary control and project management.
Liyana said one of the project’s most significant benefits would be improved productivity, as commuters would spend less time stuck in traffic.
Based on MRT Corp’s density studies, she said Penang’s population and employment density maps closely mirrored one another, with the Mutiara Line alignment linking major residential and employment centres.
“It will benefit people through greater employment opportunities and wider socio-economic gains,” she said, citing businesses such as food stalls, restaurants and retail outlets.
“Projects like this stimulate spending in surrounding areas because people are able to earn more.
“There is also greater demand for housing and rentals in areas served by rail projects.”
She cited the situation in Klang Valley where property prices rose by about 7% to 10% even before projects were completed.
A similar trend was seen in Johor Baru where property values and demand rose by as much as 15% following the development of the Johor Baru-Singapore RTS Link, she said.
