GEORGE TOWN – Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said that there is no single transportation solution, including the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, that can immediately address the congestion issues caused by excessive private car use in the state.
Chow explained that the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) is considering several measures to curb car usage on the island.
“There is no single solution that can resolve every congestion issue in Penang. I think the MBPP, for instance, are contemplating increasing parking charges, limiting the number of hours you can park, and even restricting entry of cars,” Chow said, speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Chinese New Year open house event at Spice Arena, Bayan Baru.
“All these are solutions that can be used to control congestion in the state. I think we have been working on this issue over the past few years.”
His comments came in response to suggestions from transport consultant Rosli Azad Khan and Zulfikar Ali Abdul Aziz, secretary of the Penang Public Transport Users Association (Petua), who proposed that Penang should focus on improving and expanding its existing public transport system, including buses and ferries, rather than waiting for the completion of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) project to tackle the issue.
In an interview with Scoop, Rosli recommended that the state explore the possibility of implementing a BRT system, connecting both the mainland Seberang Perai and the island by dedicating a lane on each direction of the Penang Bridge for BRT routes.
However, he acknowledged that such a project would require political will from the state government and public support.
Meanwhile, Zulfikar proposed expanding the current ferry fleet and adding new routes, including a cross-channel or intra-island service.
One potential route would link the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone (FIZ) with the Butterworth Ferry Terminal, which could serve workers in the tech manufacturing sector.
He also pointed out an underutilised jetty near the garbage disposal facility next to the Second Penang Bridge, which could be converted into a ferry terminal to support expansion efforts. – January 30, 2025