Penang to produce transport master plan

In efforts to combat traffic congestion in Penang, the state government hopes to produce a master plan encompassing a mass transportation system.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said among the modes of transportation proposed are hybrid buses, monorails, trams and water taxis.

“We need the Penang Transport Council to deliberate and make suggestions,” he said.

Lim said while waiting for the recommendation from the council, the state government will adopt interim measures to help with the traffic situation, which will be unfolded within the next few months.

“The measures taken are based on the three ‘P’s – ‘Pendidikan, Penguatkuasaan dan Project’ (Education, Enforcement and project,” he said.

Lim also said the master plan would include construction of better roads and highways and proper traffic management through one-way street system and Intelligent Transport System.

He said this at the appointment letter presentation to members of the Penang Transport Council at Komtar today.

Among those in the council are State Executive Council members Chow Kon Yeow and Lim Hock Seng, Bukit Bendera MP Liew Chin Tong, Pantai Jerejak assemblyman Sim Tze Tzin, Citizens for Public Transport (Cepat) co-ordinator Dr Choong Sim Poey, NGO activist Ahmad Chik, Socio-Economic & Environmental Research Institute (SERI) CEO Dr Leong Yueh Kwong, USM lecturer Dr Leong Lee Vien, engineers Low Swee Heong and Lim Thean Heng.

At a press conference, Chow, who is also the council chairman, said the 20 members have a two-year term.

Asked when the master plan would be ready, Chow did not give a time-frame, but said the working group is looking into previous studies done on Penang’s traffic situation, and after thoroughly studying them and identifying the gaps, a proposal will be produced and forwarded to the state government.

The Sun