Transportation professionals have called on the Penang state government to start limiting private car use by leveraging on buses and ferries instead of waiting for the Mutiara LRT Line to be completed. – Bernama pic, January 18, 2025
‘Don’t wait for LRT to limit car use in Penang, start with buses and ferries now’
State could introduce BRT system, expand public buses and ferry services instead of waiting for the Mutiara Line completion to impose a limit on private cars, experts opine
R. Dineskumar
Updated 4 hours ago
18 January, 2025
9:00 PM MYT
GEORGE TOWN – Penang can consider improving and expanding its present public transport system which includes public buses and ferries in a bid to limit car usage in the state now, instead of waiting for its first LRT project to be completed.
Transport consultant Rosli Azad Khan said that it does not make sense for the state to wait for the project’s completion, which is tentatively set for 2031, in order to limit car usage – particularly on the island.
Among his suggestions is for Penang to introduce its first bus rapid transit (BRT) system which would serve both the mainland Seberang Perai and the island.
Zulfikar Ali Abdul Aziz, secretary of the Penang Public Transport Users Association (Petua) said that depending on the LRT project to limit car usage in Penang is akin to “putting all eggs in one basket” as public transport modes are not only limited to the LRT or train systems.
Speaking to Scoop, the public transport advocate said that public bus services offer flexibility, require lower start-up and operation costs, and can be implemented quickly.
“Penang is blessed with a bonus in the form of ferries as a public transport mode, something very few states have. There is a significant and ready market for bus and ferry users waiting for reasonable alternative (to replace) cars,” he said.
Zulfikar also pointed out that even if the Mutiara LRT line is in operation tomorrow morning, not many Penangites are going to eagerly ditch their cars and switch to using LRT since there is no viable first-last-mile (FLM) connectivity to the most important destination – their homes.
Both of them were responding to Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who said last week that any plans to limit private car use in Penang can only happen after the Mutiara Line LRT Project is completed. FMT reported him saying the LRT would be the starting point for better public transport in the state and eventually reduction of private car use.
BRT: how to and why implement in Penang?
Rosli said that implementing BRT would involve allocating a dedicated lane in both directions on the first Penang bridge, which may require political will by the government and public buy-in as it could temporarily reduce the bridge’s capacity for private vehicles.
Additionally, the system must have enough buses and high frequency to handle peak-hour demand, ensuring it remains a competitive alternative to private vehicles. The BRT should also integrate seamlessly with other modes of transport – including Rapid Penang buses, ferries, taxis and train stations in Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam – to provide a smooth, end-to-end journey.
Park-and-ride facilities should be established, he added, with parking hubs built at key locations in Seberang Perai to encourage commuters to leave their cars and motorcycles and use the BRT. It is also important for tickets to be priced affordably to encourage ridership.
Rosli argued that BRT could be a “highly effective interim solution” before the LRT is completed as it is cost-effective and significantly cheaper compared to train systems and is quicker to implement, utilising existing road infrastructure with some modifications like dedicated bus lanes and priority signalling.
“This will encourage car users to switch their journeys from private cars to BRT because it would be faster and cheaper. Many studies have shown that these two factors – time and travel cost – are the two prime factors that will make motorists leave their cars at home and switch to BRT,” he added.
BRT can also help improve connectivity around the state as it could offer high-frequency services connecting key hubs in the mainland such as Butterworth, Perai and Bukit Mertajam to strategic locations on the island such as George Town, Bayan Lepas FTZ, Bayan Lepas and the Penang International Airport (PIA).
The bus system can help reduce traffic congestion as having dedicated bus lanes on the bridge would help BRT bypass traffic therefore reducing the number of private cars and motorcycles crossing the bridge during peak hours, Rosli said.
BRT can also later complement the LRT as a feeder system, integrating with the larger public transport network to enhance overall connectivity.
Adopting the BFP system
Zulfikar, meanwhile, suggested the Bus-Ferry-Pedestrian (BFP) system – which involves increasing the number of buses in the state.
Rapid Penang currently operates with fewer than 250 buses, while Penang requires at least 1,000 to effectively serve its 1.8 million residents.
The bus system should be adequately supported by good bus stop designs, well-connected pedestrian walks, a park-and-ride facility for two-wheelers beside bus stops and a reliable bus tracking app.
On ferry services, Zulfikar suggested expanding the current ferry fleet size and introducing new cross-channel or intra-island routes. One of the routes suggested is the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone (FIZ)-Butterworth Ferry Terminal which can help ferry workers from the tech manufacturing sector straight to the industrial zone.
He highlighted an abandoned jetty near the garbage disposal processing facility beside the Second Penang Bridge, which is strategically located for expansion and conversion into a ferry terminal.
Zulfikar believes that many large factories in the FIZ area would welcome the opening of such a terminal to reduce the travel discomfort faced by many of their staff.
“The population size of FIZ workers and residents in the vicinity is not less than 100,000, meaning a ferry service should easily capture a sizable following for its service and support its sustainability. Other new ferry routes can be introduced as well to capitalise on the sea footprint within Penang state,” he added.
In order to complement bus and ferry public transport services, pedestrian walkways play a crucial role for ferry and bus users. Walkways should be properly designed with rooftop protection whenever possible, said Zulfikar. – January 18, 2025.
‘Don’t wait for LRT to limit car use in Penang, start with buses and ferries now’
State could introduce BRT system, expand public buses and ferry services instead of waiting for the Mutiara Line completion to impose a limit on private cars, experts opine
R. Dineskumar
Updated 4 hours ago
18 January, 2025
9:00 PM MYT
GEORGE TOWN – Penang can consider improving and expanding its present public transport system which includes public buses and ferries in a bid to limit car usage in the state now, instead of waiting for its first LRT project to be completed.
Transport consultant Rosli Azad Khan said that it does not make sense for the state to wait for the project’s completion, which is tentatively set for 2031, in order to limit car usage – particularly on the island.
Among his suggestions is for Penang to introduce its first bus rapid transit (BRT) system which would serve both the mainland Seberang Perai and the island.
Zulfikar Ali Abdul Aziz, secretary of the Penang Public Transport Users Association (Petua) said that depending on the LRT project to limit car usage in Penang is akin to “putting all eggs in one basket” as public transport modes are not only limited to the LRT or train systems.
Speaking to Scoop, the public transport advocate said that public bus services offer flexibility, require lower start-up and operation costs, and can be implemented quickly.
“Penang is blessed with a bonus in the form of ferries as a public transport mode, something very few states have. There is a significant and ready market for bus and ferry users waiting for reasonable alternative (to replace) cars,” he said.
Zulfikar also pointed out that even if the Mutiara LRT line is in operation tomorrow morning, not many Penangites are going to eagerly ditch their cars and switch to using LRT since there is no viable first-last-mile (FLM) connectivity to the most important destination – their homes.
Both of them were responding to Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who said last week that any plans to limit private car use in Penang can only happen after the Mutiara Line LRT Project is completed. FMT reported him saying the LRT would be the starting point for better public transport in the state and eventually reduction of private car use.
BRT: how to and why implement in Penang?
Rosli said that implementing BRT would involve allocating a dedicated lane in both directions on the first Penang bridge, which may require political will by the government and public buy-in as it could temporarily reduce the bridge’s capacity for private vehicles.
Additionally, the system must have enough buses and high frequency to handle peak-hour demand, ensuring it remains a competitive alternative to private vehicles. The BRT should also integrate seamlessly with other modes of transport – including Rapid Penang buses, ferries, taxis and train stations in Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam – to provide a smooth, end-to-end journey.
Park-and-ride facilities should be established, he added, with parking hubs built at key locations in Seberang Perai to encourage commuters to leave their cars and motorcycles and use the BRT. It is also important for tickets to be priced affordably to encourage ridership.
Rosli argued that BRT could be a “highly effective interim solution” before the LRT is completed as it is cost-effective and significantly cheaper compared to train systems and is quicker to implement, utilising existing road infrastructure with some modifications like dedicated bus lanes and priority signalling.
“This will encourage car users to switch their journeys from private cars to BRT because it would be faster and cheaper. Many studies have shown that these two factors – time and travel cost – are the two prime factors that will make motorists leave their cars at home and switch to BRT,” he added.
BRT can also help improve connectivity around the state as it could offer high-frequency services connecting key hubs in the mainland such as Butterworth, Perai and Bukit Mertajam to strategic locations on the island such as George Town, Bayan Lepas FTZ, Bayan Lepas and the Penang International Airport (PIA).
The bus system can help reduce traffic congestion as having dedicated bus lanes on the bridge would help BRT bypass traffic therefore reducing the number of private cars and motorcycles crossing the bridge during peak hours, Rosli said.
BRT can also later complement the LRT as a feeder system, integrating with the larger public transport network to enhance overall connectivity.
Adopting the BFP system
Zulfikar, meanwhile, suggested the Bus-Ferry-Pedestrian (BFP) system – which involves increasing the number of buses in the state.
Rapid Penang currently operates with fewer than 250 buses, while Penang requires at least 1,000 to effectively serve its 1.8 million residents.
The bus system should be adequately supported by good bus stop designs, well-connected pedestrian walks, a park-and-ride facility for two-wheelers beside bus stops and a reliable bus tracking app.
On ferry services, Zulfikar suggested expanding the current ferry fleet size and introducing new cross-channel or intra-island routes. One of the routes suggested is the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone (FIZ)-Butterworth Ferry Terminal which can help ferry workers from the tech manufacturing sector straight to the industrial zone.
He highlighted an abandoned jetty near the garbage disposal processing facility beside the Second Penang Bridge, which is strategically located for expansion and conversion into a ferry terminal.
Zulfikar believes that many large factories in the FIZ area would welcome the opening of such a terminal to reduce the travel discomfort faced by many of their staff.
“The population size of FIZ workers and residents in the vicinity is not less than 100,000, meaning a ferry service should easily capture a sizable following for its service and support its sustainability. Other new ferry routes can be introduced as well to capitalise on the sea footprint within Penang state,” he added.
In order to complement bus and ferry public transport services, pedestrian walkways play a crucial role for ferry and bus users. Walkways should be properly designed with rooftop protection whenever possible, said Zulfikar. – January 18, 2025.
***
kt comments:
Bring back the old Lim Seng Seng, Hin, Yellow Bus and City Council buses. They were first class transportation until the Mahathir Era saw their sad ends.
No comments:
Post a Comment