“The LRT and mass rapid transit (MRT) are technologies on the way out, like black and white TV. Will the LRT have to be torn down by future generations?
“Zairil admitted that Penang does not have the passenger numbers to sustain an LRT, so why is he still so hell-bent on a LRT that will burden the public, besides damaging the Penang landscape for good?” Penang PRM vice-chairman Ravinder Singh said, referring as well to the Klang Valley’s MRT system.
In a statement today, Ravinder said that regardless of passenger numbers, the infrastructure required remained virtually the same.
“(It needs) the same elevated track and the 19 stations will be the same, taking up more land.
“Maintenance of the tracks, stations, etc. will be the same. All this infrastructure could cost up to 80% or more of the total estimated RM10.5 billion.”
Ravinder said an autonomous rail rapid transit (ART) system was a much more viable alternative to the LRT.
“The ART does not ‘lock up’ any land permanently for the pillars to hold the tracks, or for the stations.
“It is flexible, that is, it can be rerouted to new development areas that need good, mass public transport,” Ravinder said, challenging the claim that the ART cannot run on Penang roads.
“It can very easily run between Komtar and the airport,” he said, adding that this route was the main reason for building a mass transit system in Penang, while the Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway was also suitable.
Ravinder went on to say the territorial army camp opposite USM is an ideal location for an ART integrated hub, while the base would have to be relocated elsewhere.
He also claimed that an ART system could be up and running far sooner than its LRT equivalent and at a fraction of the cost, but did not specify projected costs for the former.
The ART and bus services would also cut the number of single-occupancy vehicles, Ravinder said, which constitute 70% of rush hour traffic in the state.
Last week, it was announced that the Penang government and Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd were exploring a “low- to medium-capacity” system for the Penang Mutiara Line LRT project.
Zairil said the transport ministry’s procurement board would choose the type of LRT system based on passenger projections and the state’s needs.