Bayan Lepas LRT line

The George Town – Bayan Lepas route will be the first light rapid transit (LRT) line in the Malaysian state of Penang. Conceived by the Penang state government as part of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP), the proposed 22 km (14 mi) line within the city of George Town will link the city centre with the industrial town of Bayan Lepas to the south.[3]

Bayan Lepas LRT line
Overview
Type	Light rapid transit
Status	Planned
Locale	Penang Island
Termini	Komtar Phase 1:Permatang Damar Laut Phase 2: Island C3
Stations	27
Services	George Town – Bayan Lepas
Website	pgmasterplan.penang.gov.my
Operation
Planned opening	2024 (2024)[1]
Owner	Penang state government
Character	Elevated[2]
Depot(s)	Island A
Technical
Line length	Phase 1: 23.5 km (14.6 mi) Phase 2: 6.4 km (4.0 mi)
Route map

Bayan Lepas LRT line
S1 Komtar S2 Macallum Pinang River S3 Bandar Sri Pinang S4 Skycab S5 East Jelutong S6 The Light S7 Gelugor S8 USM S9 Batu Uban S10 Pesta S11 Sungai Nibong S12 Bukit Jambul S13 SPICE S14 Jalan Tengah S15 FIZ North S16 FIZ South S17 Sungai Tiram S18 Penang Int'l Airport S19 Permatang Damar Laut Strait of Malacca LRT Depot Phase 1 Phase 2 S20 Island A1 S21 Island A2 S22 Island B1 S23 Island B2 S24 Island B3 S25 Island C1 S26 Island C2 S27 Island C3

Butterworth LRT line
LRT Depot S1 Sungai Nyiur S2 Chain Ferry S3 Penang Sentral Butterworth  ETS   2  Perai River to Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur & Gemas S4 Taman Perai Utama S5 Taman Supreme S6 Perai North S7 Perai South Penang Strait Seberang Perai Penang Island S8 The Light

The Bayan Lepas LRT line is one of priority projects to be delivered under PTMP.

Nineteen stations are to be built along the 22 km (14 mi) stretch. Eight additional stations will also be built on three islets that will be reclaimed off the southern coastline of Penang Island, bringing the overall length of the planned route to 30 km (19 mi).

The construction of the LRT line was approved by the federal government on 8 April 2019. Construction is expected to start in June 2020.

Overview

The Bayan Lepas LRT line forms the backbone of the Penang Transportation Master Plan, a comprehensive proposal formulated by the Penang state government to improve transportation within the State of Penang.[4] Among the components of the plan, the LRT line is being prioritised by the state authorities for implementation, as the line will serve a densely populated urban and industrial corridor along the eastern coast of Penang Island, specifically between George Town proper and Bayan Lepas to the south.[5][6] In addition, the LRT service would facilitate easier commute for tourists arriving via the Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas.[7]

History

SRS Consortium, a joint venture consisting of Gamuda Berhad, Ideal Property Development Sdn Bhd and Loh Phoy Yen Holdings, was appointed as the Project Delivery Partner (PDP) in 2015.[1] Within the same year, the first public consultation session on the alignment of the proposed route was held.[8][9] Following the sessions, the route was finalised and 27 stations identified; the eight southernmost stations will be built on three islets which will be reclaimed to the south of Penang Island.[10] Much of the line will be elevated to reduce land acquisition and to preclude the relocation of underground utilities.[11]

As public transportation falls under the purview of the Malaysian federal government, the proposal was submitted to the Federal Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) by April 2016 for approval by the federal authorities.[12][13] However, a political feud between the Pakatan Harapan-led Penang state government and the federal government at the time, which was dominated by Barisan Nasional, led to delays in securing the required federal approval.[14]

On 20 June 2020, chairman of the State Works Committee Zairil Khir Johari said that the LRT would continue, with or without the Federal government as it was funded through the land reclamation.[15]

Stations

Komtar

Macallum

Bandar Sri Pinang

Skycab

East Jelutong

The Light

Gelugor

USM

Batu Uban

Pesta

Sungai Nibong

Bukit Jambul

SPICE

Jalan Tengah

FIZ North

FIZ South

Sungai Tiram

Penang Airport

Permatang Damar Laut

Airport

Locations of the stations within the State of Penang (in blue)

See also

• Transport in Penang

References

1. "Penang LRT construction work to start in 2018". The Edge Markets. 2015-12-02. Retrieved 2018-06-02.
2. "Penang Transport Master Plan: Addressing NGO Penang Forum" (PDF). Penang state government. 22 July 2016.
3. "George Town meliputi 'pulau', jelas Datuk Bandar" (PDF). Buletin Mutiara. 1 May 2015.
4. "Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP)". Penang Property Talk. Retrieved 2018-05-20.
5. "Penang rolls out LRT scheme - Nation | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 2018-05-20.
6. migration (2015-04-17). "Penang to ease island's transport woes". The Straits Times. Retrieved 2018-05-20.
7. User, Super. "LRT". pgmasterplan.penang.gov.my. Retrieved 2018-05-20.
8. User, Super. "Milestones". pgmasterplan.penang.gov.my. Retrieved 2018-05-21.
9. "Foreign firms keen to participate in Penang Transport Master Plan". The Edge Markets. 2016-03-25. Retrieved 2018-05-21.
10. "Penang LRT - Bayan Lepas Line". Penang Property Talk. 2016-04-06. Retrieved 2018-05-21.
11. "Elevated LRT best bet for Penang, state govt insists". Free Malaysia Today. 2016-08-11. Retrieved 2018-06-02.
12. "Chow hopes Penang Transport Master Plan will be tabled in Cabinet soon". The Edge Markets. 2018-05-15. Retrieved 2018-05-21.
13. "Penang rolls out LRT scheme - Nation | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 2018-05-21.
14. "Fate of Penang Transport Master Plan hangs in the balance (Updated)". www.thesundaily.my. Retrieved 2018-05-21.
15. "Mega projects in Penang to go ahead | The Star". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 2020-06-24.

External links

• Penang Transport Master Plan