GEORGE TOWN, January 10 – Plans to limit private car usage in Penang hinge on the completion of the state’s first light rail transit (LRT) line, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said yesterday. Speaking at a Penang Heritage Trust event, Chow emphasized the LRT as the critical foundation for an improved public transport system that could eventually reduce car dependency.
“Without the LRT, it’s difficult to encourage people to switch from private cars to public transport. The LRT is the starting point, and without it, discussions on reducing vehicle use remain theoretical,” he said. The Penang LRT, delayed for years due to funding and administrative issues, is now set to move forward under MRT Corp, with groundbreaking by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim scheduled this Saturday.
Chow highlighted the transformative potential of the LRT, likening it to the Klang Valley’s system that began with a single line decades ago and evolved into a comprehensive network. “The Penang LRT will serve as the backbone of a more efficient public transport system, easing traffic, saving time, and supporting the state’s continued development,” he said.
