Penang Forum proposes ART at PTMP public dialogue

GEORGE TOWN (October 1): At the public dialogue to discuss the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) yesterday, Penang Forum suggested the state consider an Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit (ART) system.

The Star reports that other Penang residents were not in agreement with the NGO, with one Batu Ferringhi resident saying: “If I take your car keys, you lot will suffer. Penang is an old town with old roads, they may be maintained, but they are still old.

“There is no way public transport on the ground will be effective. You cannot put trams on Burma Road and Macalister Road.

“You cannot expect people who come to the island from Bukit Mertajam and Sungai Petani to use public transport.”

Another man name Chan, from Gelugor was quoted by the daily as saying: “I think Penangites are becoming restless and fed up. Why has the construction of the Pan Island Link (PIL) 1 and light rail transit (LRT) not started?

“I urge the state government to start the projects as fast as possible so we can go home and spend more time with our families instead of being stuck in jams,” he said.

A pro-PTMP attendee asked Penang Forum whether a feasibility study was carried out on ART.

Penang Forum members proposed ART as an alternative to the LRT, as it would be a cheaper alternative, and says it would be less disruptive during construction.

Other forms of transport has been suggested by Penang Forum, including trams and bus rapid transit.

ART is a new train system developed by China Railway Construction Corporation.