Penang CM, Y.A.B. Mr. Chow Kon Yeow said the Ministry of Transport and SPAD has agreed with the State Government’s proposal to build the Light Rail Transit (LRT) system from George Town to Bayan Lepas.
He said the agreement was reached at a meeting with Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook and SPAD’s representative on Sept 18 in Putrajaya.
“It was a fruitful meeting. We (the State Government) can now take another step forward as the LRT proposal has been accepted by the Minister and SPAD.
“At the meeting, the State Government also pointed out that the LRT system is more suitable for Penang than the tram as proposed by SPAD recently,” he told a media conference after attending a ceremony near the Millennium Hall this morning.
The explanation arose following the earlier statement by Transport Minister who reportedly said that the LRT system might not be an ideal choice for Penang, based on SPAD’s research results.
However, Kon Yeow said there are still technical issues to be addressed such as the depot, which will serve as the final station for the LRT project
The initial location for the depot was the reclaimed coastal area of Permatang Damar Laut, but SPAD later proposed it be moved inland just after the Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas, as reclamation work has yet to start.
Chow said a final report on the planned changes will be submitted soon.
Source: Buletin Utama (Malay version)