GEORGE TOWN, January 3 — Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has urged for the cross-channel rail link to Butterworth to be constructed simultaneously with the island line as part of the upcoming RM10 billion light rail transit (LRT) project. Chow emphasized the importance of completing both lines concurrently, stating, “This is one line. It should be done in one go.”
The federal project, managed by MRT Corp, aims to improve connectivity, with the initial 29km Bayan Lepas-Komtar route featuring 21 stations. Plans include a future extension across the North Channel to Penang Sentral, linking the LRT to ferry, bus, and KTM train services. Additionally, one key station will be located at the expanding Penang International Airport, just 200 meters from the terminal.
Meanwhile, MRT Mutiara Sdn Bhd has issued a tender for the rolling stock and railway system, open to experienced firms with at least RM100 million in shareholders’ funds. Chow expressed confidence in the project’s potential to transform Penang’s public transport infrastructure.
