Public Transport

The PTMP outlines an integrated transit network with long-term capacity to increase public transport adoption in the state.

Its public transport strategy is designed to work together with road and highway network upgrades to achieve holistic improvement and higher efficiency in travel experience for the public.

For Penang Island, four transit lines are proposed:

The proposed Bayan Lepas LRT, which is now pending federal approval, and the future Ayer Itam and Tanjung Tokong transit lines will form the “backbone” of the island’s rail network.

From the planning perspective, the LRT will be built first to meet the rising demand along the north-south corridor. Its economic appraisal has shown that it is more economically viable compared with the other lines.

The Ayer Itam and Tanjung Tokong Lines will be introduced in the future to provide a more unified network and encourage higher use of public transportation. When travel demand increases, the Ayer Itam Line can also be extended and linked with the Bayan Lepas LRT’s southern segment to further enhance the rail lines’ integration and connectivity.

The transit corridors of the three lines are 3km apart. The first-mile and last-mile accessibility for these lines will be enhanced through strategic feeder bus services linked to the train stations.

For Seberang Perai, three future transit lines, as well as line extensions, are proposed to connect with the existing KTM Komuter line:

The KTM Komuter line in the Northern Peninsular connects Padang Besar di Perlis and Padang Rengas in Perak, with in-between stops at stations in Seberang Perai, including Penang Sentral in Butterworth.

Provision for more transit lines is being made to serve anticipated higher-density development areas in Seberang Perai. The advantage of this early identification is to reserve public transport corridor as part of the State Government’s planning process.

In the short term, feeder services can serve the Komuter service areas. In the long run, the new transit lines can be introduced when the need arises.

All transit lines slated for future realisation are still proposals. They are subject to further feasibility evaluation at the time of execution, taking into consideration travel demand, development intensity, transit system capacity, target modal share and socio-political acceptance of the appropriate transit system (elevated or at-grade).

Bayan Lepas Light Rail Transit (LRT)

Note: Transit alignment and station names are subject to review before implementation. This drawing is not to scale.

Moving Towards a Modern Penang

The Bayan Lepas LRT in Penang Island will cover 26.8 km, forming the main North-South rail backbone on the island. It will provide direct transit from Penang International Airport to major destinations on the island.

The LRT line will begin at Komtar and end at the upcoming Penang South Islands (PSI) Smart City’s Island A. The line will be extended to Islands B and C in the future.

The LRT service will be supported by a feeder service that will pick up and drop off passengers at the 23 LRT stations, providing first and last-mile connectivity for passengers.

The Penang government will issue a request for proposal (RFP) to implement the Bayan Lepas LRT component.

The Bayan Lepas LRT will:

Ayer Itam Line

Note: Transit alignment & system subject to review prior to implementation. This drawing is not to scale.

Western Ayer Itam and northern Tanjung Tokong are two high-density development corridors on Penang Island.

Anticipating a rise in travel demand in these two corridors, the Penang government proposes to introduce transit lines there in the future. Both lines can be linked to the Bayan Lepas Rail Line at its Komtar interchange station in George Town.

The proposed Ayer Itam Line stretches about 13km from Komtar to Paya Terubong with 13 stations. The line will improve transit reach to high-density neighbourhoods in Ayer Itam and Paya Terubong.

The final transit system for the line will be subject to future review based on travel demand, development intensity, transit system capacity, target modal share, socio-economic and socio-political reception of the proposed system, be it elevated or at-grade (on-ground) at the time of execution.

This component is still a proposal and subject to future approval and changes.

Tanjung Tokong Line

Note: Transit alignment & system subject to review prior to implementation. This drawing is not to scale.

The proposed 7km Tanjung Tokong transit line will begin at the Komtar integrated interchange station and terminate at Tanjung Tokong, which has been identified as a high-density development corridor on the island.

This transit line with eight stations is proposed to serve mixed commercial and residential developments along Jalan Burma, Jalan Kelawei, Persiaran Gurney and the Seri Tanjung Pinang townships.

If future travel demand warrants and space is available within the narrow corridor, the Tanjung Tokong Line can be further extended to Tanjung Bungah and Batu Ferringhi to serve a wider catchment.

The final transit system for the line will be subject to future review based on travel demand, development intensity, transit system capacity, target modal share, socio-economic and socio-political reception of the proposed system, be it elevated or at-grade (on-ground) at the time of execution.

This component is still a proposal and subject to future approval and changes.

George Town – Butterworth Transit Line

Note: Transit alignment & system subject to review prior to implementation. This drawing is not to scale.

The proposed 18km transit line will link the mainland and Penang Island via The Light in Jelutong, the Perai Industrial area, and Penang Sentral and Sungai Nyiur in Butterworth.

The aim of this line is to reduce the traffic on the first Penang Bridge and encourage cross-strait travel by public transport in the future.

The George Town-Butterworth Line will also share an interchange with the Raja Uda-Bukit Mertajam transit line at Sungai Nyiur.

The proposed line is subject to further studies, review, and approvals prior to implementation to take into account the feasibility, ridership, constructability, cost and other factors.

Implementation of the line is only expected in a later phase of the PTMP, following the realisation of the Bayan Lepas LRT.

Raja Uda-Bukit Mertajam Line

Note: Transit alignment & system subject to review prior to implementation. This drawing is not to scale.

Raja Uda in Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam are two higher intensity development areas in Seberang Perai.

The proposed Raja Uda-Bukit Mertajam line will provide much-needed connectivity between Raja Uda in the northwestern region and Bukit Mertajam in the southeastern region of the mainland.

For the initial stage, the line is proposed to begin from Raja Uda, pass through Sungai Nyiur, Seberang Jaya, Bukit Tengah, Bandar Perda, Bukit Mertajam and Alma, and end in Permatang Tinggi. The line will serve the Penang state administration offices in Seberang Jaya and Bandar Baru Perda.

The line can potentially be extended to other areas such as from Raja Uda to Kepala Batas, and from Alma to Kulim, Kedah. Refer to the map below.

These identified transit corridors can be reserved as part of the state’s planning process. This component is still a proposal and subject to approval and changes in the future.

Potential Line Extension Map

Note: Transit alignment & system subject to review prior to implementation. This drawing is not to scale.

Permatang Tinggi-Batu Kawan Line

Note: Transit alignment & system subject to review prior to implementation. This drawing is not to scale.

Another transit line, as shown in the map above, has been proposed to link the mixed industrial-commercial and residential townships to the nearest KTM station in Simpang Ampat and also the Raja Uda–Bukit Mertajam Line, which terminates in Permatang Tinggi.

The proposed Permatang Tinggi-Batu Kawan Line can be extended to other areas:

1. From Permatang Tinggi northwards to Seberang Jaya to serve the Permatang Pauh and Bukit Minyak catchment (including Universiti Teknologi Mara (UITM) and Politeknik Seberang Perai); and interchange with the Raja Uda–Bukit Mertajam Line. Refer to Map A.
2. From Batu Kawan southwards to Nibong Tebal to serve the planned townships in Byram Changkat and interchange with the KTM Komuter in Nibong Tebal. Refer to Map B.

These identified transit corridors can be reserved as part of the State’s planning process. This component is still a proposal and subject to approval and changes in the future.

MAP A

Note: Transit alignment & system subject to review prior to implementation. This drawing is not to scale.

MAP B

Note: Transit alignment & system subject to review prior to implementation. This drawing is not to scale.

Tram

Note: Transit alignment & system subject to review prior to implementation. This drawing is not to scale.

George Town World Heritage guidelines state that future developments in the Unesco zones shall not impact or demolish any part of the former colonial city’s heritage buildings.

In compliance with the guidelines, the tram will be the best transit solution to conserve George Town’s unique characteristics, heritage architecture, culture and cityscape, while becoming a tourist attraction that transports people to strategic points of interest in the city.

The proposed 2km tram line within the Unesco World Heritage Site will be at-grade (on-ground) and feed into the Komtar interchange station to seamlessly integrate with the Bayan Lepas LRT and the future two transit lines from Air Itam and Tanjung Tokong.

The proposed tram line will start at Komtar and end at the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal. It will have six stations that will be served by a feeder service.

This component is still a proposal and subject to approval and changes in the future.