Jump to content

Transport in Penang

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Penang International Airport has services to several major Asian cities, including Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Dubai.

As the core of Malaysia's second largest conurbation, Penang has a relatively developed transport infrastructure. The state is well-connected by land, air and sea. The Penang International Airport is Malaysia's third busiest by passenger traffic and the busiest by export volume, while the Port of Penang is the main transshipment hub of northern Malaysia. The island city of George Town is physically connected to mainland Seberang Perai by two road bridges and the oldest ferry service in the country. The North–South Expressway and Keretapi Tanah Melayu's west coast line – two major arteries along western Peninsular Malaysia – run through the state.

Within the state, Rapid Penang forms the backbone of urban public transport, operating public bus services throughout the conurbation. Penang Sentral serves as the main intermodal transport hub of northwestern Malaysia. The Penang Hill Railway is also the only operational funicular railway system in the country. As part of additional investments in transport, a proposed light rapid transit system, the Mutiara LRT, is expected to be completed by 2030.

Road transport

[edit]
Aerial view of the Penang Bridge

The first roads of George Town – Light, Beach, Chulia and Pitt streets – were created in a grid-like configuration soon after Francis Light founded the settlement in 1786.[1][2] This urban planning method allowed for efficient division, transaction and assessment of land, as well as military deployment. Under the British, a network of roads was gradually extended across Penang Island.[1]

In 1985, the 13.5 km (8.4 mi) Penang Bridge was completed, establishing the first physical connection between George Town and mainland Seberang Perai. In 2014, the 24 km (15 mi) Second Penang Bridge was opened to the south, becoming the longest bridge in Southeast Asia at that time.[3]

Seberang Perai is accessible through the North-South Expressway, a 966 km (600 mi) expressway that stretches along the western part of Peninsular Malaysia.[4] Major toll routes within Seberang Perai include the Butterworth Outer Ring Road (BORR) and the Butterworth-Kulim Expressway.[5]

Within George Town, the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway is a coastal highway that runs along the city's eastern seaboard, connecting the city centre with the two bridges.[6] Federal Route 6 is a pan-island trunk road that circles the city, while the George Town Inner Ring Road is the main thoroughfare within the city centre.[7][8]

Public buses

[edit]
An Alexander Dennis Enviro500 MMC double decker operated by Rapid Penang

Trolleybuses were introduced in George Town in 1925, eventually replacing the existing tramlines by 1936.[1][9] Following World War II, diesel-powered buses were also adopted. After the independence of Malaya, the George Town City Council (predecessor to the Penang Island City Council) initiated the replacement of trolleybuses with diesel-powered buses. The final trolleybus was retired in 1961, after which transit buses dominated Penang's public transport system.[9]

Over time, Penang's public buses deteriorated due to financial mismanagement of the several competing private operators.[10] In 2004, the Yellow Bus Company, one of the major public bus operators in the state, abruptly ceased operations.[11][12] In 2006, the Penang state government, under Chief Minister Koh Tsu Koon, attempted to revive the public bus system by reassigning routes to designated operators.[13] This initiative was unsuccessful, prompting Koh to request intervention from the Malaysian federal government.[10][13][14]

In response, Prasarana Malaysia, a government-owned company, launched Rapid Penang in 2007.[10][14] The service began with a fleet of 150 buses and has since expanded to become the sole public bus operator in Penang.[15] As of 2024, Rapid Penang operates approximately 350 buses across 46 routes within the George Town Conurbation.[16][17]

Interstate buses

[edit]
Penang Sentral in Seberang Perai

Interstate bus services operate from Penang Sentral, the main intermodal transport hub of northwestern Malaysia.[18] Opened in 2018, the hub integrates Rapid Penang and interstate bus services, linking to the adjacent Butterworth railway station and the Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal.[19][20] Nevertheless, some interstate bus services continue to function from the Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal in George Town.[21]

Bicycles

[edit]

The trishaw was formerly one of the primary modes of transport within downtown George Town. Trishaws still ply the city's streets, albeit catering primarily to tourists.[22]

To promote urban mobility, pedestrian and cycling infrastructure throughout Penang are being upgraded.[23][24] In 2010, the Penang state government, under Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, proposed the construction of 200 km (120 mi) of cycling paths throughout George Town.[25] In 2016, George Town became the first city in Malaysia to operate a public bicycle-sharing service with the launch of LinkBike.[26] As of 2021, LinkBike operated a fleet of 250 bicycles across 29 stations in the city.[25]

Rail transport

[edit]
A funicular along a rail line flanked by trees at Penang Hill, with the cityscape visible in the background.
Penang Hill Railway

Interstate railway

[edit]

Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) operates the West Coast line, which traverses the length of western Peninsular Malaysia. The Butterworth railway station is the primary terminal for northwestern Malaysia.[27] Apart from regular KTM services, Butterworth is one of the main stops of the Eastern and Oriental Express service between Bangkok and Singapore.[28] Other KTM stations within Seberang Perai include Tasek Gelugor, Bukit Tengah, Bukit Mertajam, Simpang Ampat and Nibong Tebal.[29]

Funicular railway

[edit]

The Penang Hill Railway is a funicular railway that ascends to the peak of Penang Hill in George Town. Completed in 1923, it is the only operational funicular system in Malaysia.[19][30] The railway operates on some of the world's steepest gradients, with a slope angle of 27.9°.[31] In 2022, the Penang Hill Railway recorded a ridership of 1.48 million passengers.[30]

Air transport

[edit]
View of Penang International Airport and the Second Penang Bridge in 2017

The Penang International Airport (PIA) is situated 16 km (9.9 mi) south of downtown George Town. It is the main airport for northwestern Malaysia, with services to major regional cities including Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Bangkok, Taipei, Hong Kong, Xiamen, Shanghai, Doha and Dubai.[32][33] PIA is the third busiest airport in Malaysia for passenger traffic after Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Kota Kinabalu International Airport, recording nearly 6.8 million passengers in 2023.[34] It is also Malaysia's second busiest in terms of cargo tonnage, handling close to 120,000 t (120,000 long tons; 130,000 short tons) within the same year.[34] Additionally, it managed the highest export value of all entry points nationwide, totaling RM365 billion.[35]

Maritime transport

[edit]
The Port of Penang was declared a Free Commercial Zone (FCZ) in 2021.[36]

Ports and harbours

[edit]

Penang was once a crucial British entrepôt, but its maritime trade saw a decline after George Town lost its free port status in 1969, coupled with the rise of Port Klang near Kuala Lumpur.[37] Nevertheless, the Port of Penang remains the main harbour for northwestern Malaysia and southern Thailand.[38] In 2023, it processed over 1.4 million TEUs of cargo, ranking it as the third busiest seaport in Malaysia.[39] The port includes the North Butterworth Container Terminal (NBCT), the Perai Bulk Cargo Terminal (PBCT) and several smaller berthing facilities along the coast of Seberang Perai.[40]

Passenger transport

[edit]
A ferry off the Raja Tun Uda Ferry Terminal in George Town.

Swettenham Pier, located within downtown George Town, accommodates cruise ships and serves as a key entry point into the city. In 2017, it recorded 125 port calls, surpassing Port Klang as the busiest cruise shipping terminal in Malaysia.[41] The pier is capable of accommodating some of the world's largest cruise liners, such as the Queen Mary 2, and also hosts occasional visits from warships.[42][43]

The cross-strait Penang ferry service is the oldest in Malaysia, originating from privately-run services established in 1894.[44] It connects George Town and Seberang Perai, and was formerly the only transportation link between the island city and the mainland until the completion of the Penang Bridge in 1985.[45] At present, four ferries ply the Penang Strait between both cities daily.[44]

Future developments

[edit]

Rapid transit systems

[edit]

In 1981, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) carried out a study focused on improving transportation infrastructure in Penang.[46] Among others, the study recommended converting major roads into exclusive bus lanes, particularly along economically dense corridors connecting downtown George Town to Bayan Lepas and Butterworth to Bukit Mertajam. It also proposed the development of a new rail-based system linking downtown George Town with Bayan Lepas and Ayer Itam.[47]

Subsequent studies were conducted by Universiti Sains Malaysia and Halcrow Group between 1996 and 1997 to further assess infrastructure development strategies.[46] In 2002, the Penang state government, then led by Chief Minister Koh Tsu Koon, proposed a RM2 billion monorail project for George Town. The proposed monorail project garnered support from successive Malaysian prime ministers Mahathir Mohamad and Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.[48][49] However, it was ultimately scrapped in 2008 after Pakatan Rakyat (predecessor to Pakatan Harapan) wrested control of Penang in the state election that year.[48][49][50]

Newly elected Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng subsequently sought to address the underinvestment in transportation across Penang.[51][52] The situation was exacerbated by a high rate of car ownership and worsening traffic congestion in the state. As of 2020, Penang had 2,772,378 private vehicles for a population of 1,740,405, resulting in a ratio of 1.59 vehicles per person.[53][54] Traffic congestion was particularly severe along the downtown George Town–Bayan Lepas corridor, where average daily traffic reached 64,144 vehicles in 2019.[19]

In 2009, the state government activated a committee to develop a new transportation masterplan for the entire state. Two years later, AJC Planning Consultants, in partnership with Halcrow Group and Singapore Cruise Centre, were tasked with conducting new studies for this masterplan.[51] Halcrow presented its findings the following year, which included strategies for public transport, highway development, an accessibility report and recommendations for institutional reforms. These findings laid the groundwork for the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP), which proposed a RM10 billion light rapid transit (LRT) system and trams, as well as three new highways and an undersea tunnel to connect George Town and Seberang Perai.[51][55]

In 2015, the Bayan Lepas LRT was announced,alongside the appointment of SRS Consortium as the Project Delivery Partner (PDP) for the PTMP.[56][57] Since public transportation comes under the purview of the Malaysian federal government, the state government submitted the proposed system to the federal Ministry of Transport for approval in 2016.[58][59] However, due to political tensions between the federal and state governments, the proposed LRT line only received support from the federal level in 2023, under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's administration.[60] The Bayan Lepas LRT was subsequently renamed the Mutiara LRT after the federal government decided to take over the project from the state.[61][62] Construction of the line is anticipated to start in December 2024, with completion expected by 2030.[63]

Aerial lift transport

[edit]

In 2019, then federal Minister of Finance Lim Guan Eng announced a cable car system to complement the existing Penang Hill Railway, which had seen a ridership of 1.74 million in 2018.[64] This proposal aimed to reduce reliance on the railway.[65][66] However, a political crisis in 2020 led to the cancellation of federal funds for the project.[67] Despite this, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow pushed ahead with formulating a public–private partnership framework for the proposed system.[68][69] The cable car project eventually gained approval from federal environmental regulators in 2024.[66] Construction of the Penang Hill cable car system has commenced and is anticipated to be complete by 2026.[70]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Zhao, Long (2 December 2018). "The Townscape Evolution of Historic Port Settlement of George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia" (PDF). University of Putra Malaysia. 11. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 December 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  2. ^ Fadzlin Bakri, Aidatul (October 2018). "Negotiating Identities and 'Sense of Place' in a World Heritage City: The Case of George Town, Penang, Malaysia" (PDF). University of Birmingham. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 December 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  3. ^ "Penang Bridges". Institution of Civil Engineers. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  4. ^ H. Brooks, Douglas; F. Stone, Susan (2010). Trade Facilitation and Regional Cooperation in Asia. Edward Elgar Publishing. p. 37. ISBN 9781849806527.
  5. ^ "Annual Report 2021" (PDF). Highway Authority Malaysia. 2021.
  6. ^ "THE PROPOSED PAN ISLAND LINK 1 HIGHWAY PROJECT, PENANG" (PDF). SRS Consortium.
  7. ^ Statistik Jalan (Edisi 2013). Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian Public Works Department. 2013. pp. 16–64. ISSN 1985-9619.
  8. ^ Mak Hoy Ken, Tan Ee Zhio (3 December 2014). "Penang Transport Master Plan: Convergence of Connectivity and Rising Land Values" (PDF). AmResearch.
  9. ^ a b Francis, Ric; Ganley, Colin (2006). Penang Trams, Trolleybuses & Railways: Municipal Transport History 1880s–1963. Penang: Areca Books. pp. 26–66. ISBN 9834283407.
  10. ^ a b c "Rapid KL solution for Penang bus woes". The Star. 20 Feb 2007. Retrieved 29 Oct 2024.
  11. ^ Ng, Su-Ann (2 Jan 2004). "End of the road for Yellow Bus after 58 years". The Star. Retrieved 29 Oct 2024.
  12. ^ Sharom, Noorashikin (2014). "The roles of Rapid Penang towards sustainability public transportation in Penang" (PDF). Universiti Sains Malaysia.
  13. ^ a b Singh, Sharanjit (2 Apr 2006). "Tempers fray over the new bus system". New Straits Times. p. 25. Retrieved 29 Oct 2024.
  14. ^ a b Ahmad, Moaz Yusuf (19 Dec 2007). "Bus wars in Penang reflect poor planning". Malaysiakini. Retrieved 29 Oct 2024.
  15. ^ Opalyn Mok (1 Jul 2013). "Rapid Penang rolls on under Rapid Bus". Malay Mail. Retrieved 29 Oct 2024.
  16. ^ McIntyre, Ian (31 Oct 2023). "Rapid Penang to launch demand response transit early next year". The Vibes. Retrieved 29 Oct 2024.
  17. ^ "Rapid Penang - Bus". MyRapid. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
  18. ^ Dermawan, Audrey (14 Aug 2018). "Integrated transportation hub Penang Sentral to begin operations by Dec: Chow". New Straits Times. Retrieved 29 Oct 2024.
  19. ^ a b c Joshua Woo Sze Zeng (9 July 2020). "Exploring a Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Framework for Penang's Urban Growth" (PDF). Penang Institute. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 December 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  20. ^ McIntyre, Ian (25 Nov 2018). "Bus drivers ignore travel routes as Penang Sentral goes through first weekend". The Sun. Retrieved 29 Oct 2024.
  21. ^ Hilmy, Imran (23 May 2024). "Commuters pleased with upgraded bus terminal". The Star. Retrieved 16 Sep 2024.
  22. ^ "Penang Institute's 'Back to Beca' Project out to Safeguard the Trade". Penang Institute. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  23. ^ Opalyn Mok (1 March 2018). "Penang Streetscapes to be More Pedestrian Friendly, Says Exco". Malay Mail. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  24. ^ Lilian Chan (8 February 2017). "Penang to be First Cycling State". Buletin Mutiara.
  25. ^ a b Sheryl Teoh (6 Jul 2021). "The Penang Bicycle Route Master Plan". Penang2030. Retrieved 29 Oct 2024.
  26. ^ Lilian Chan (8 February 2017). "Penang to be First Cycling State". Buletin Mutiara.
  27. ^ "Urban Transport Study in Greater Metropolitan Areas of George Town, Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam, Malaysia: Progress Report (Phase 1)" (PDF). Japan International Cooperation Agency. Aug 1979.
  28. ^ Cripps, Karla (14 July 2023). "Famed luxury train is returning to Southeast Asia with two new routes". CNN. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  29. ^ "Rancangan Fizikal Negara Keempat: Pelan Pengurusan Spatial Negeri" (PDF). Ministry of Local Government Development. Oct 2021.
  30. ^ a b "Bukit Bendera funicular train has carried 47m passengers". The Sun. 17 Feb 2023. Retrieved 29 Oct 2024.
  31. ^ Jeremy Tan (25 October 2023). "Funicular railway is Penang's symbol of achievement". The Star. Archived from the original on 10 December 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  32. ^ "Penang Tourism Master Plan 2021-2030" (PDF). Penang state government. ISBN 978-967-19661-0-5.
  33. ^ "Tourism Minister: China Eastern Airlines to Introduce Nanjing to Kuching, Kota Kinabalu Direct Flights Earliest June". Malay Mail. 4 January 2024. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  34. ^ a b "Statistic of Aviation Transport". Ministry of Transport. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  35. ^ "Final External Trade Statistics 2023". Department of Statistics Malaysia: 100. Jul 2024. ISSN 2180-1827.
  36. ^ "Free commercial zone status a game changer for Penang Port". The Sun. 16 May 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  37. ^ Daniel Goh, P. S. (2014). "Between History and Heritage: Post-Colonialism, Globalisation, and the Remaking of Malacca, Penang and Singapore" (PDF). Trans-Regional and -National Studies of Southeast Asia: 89–93.
  38. ^ Aznam Shah, Shaheera (25 January 2018). "Penang Port taps southern Thailand's booming economy" (PDF). The Malaysian Reserve. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  39. ^ "Table 3.5: Total Container Throughput By Ports, Malaysia, 2023" (PDF). Ministry of Transport. 15 March 2024.
  40. ^ "General Info". Port of Penang. Retrieved 29 Oct 2024.
  41. ^ "Swettenham Pier Surpasses Port Klang as Top Port of Call for Cruise Ships". The Sun. 20 December 2017. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  42. ^ "Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal A World Cruise Destination for Queen Mary 2". Port of Penang. 25 February 2015. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  43. ^ "US Navy Ship Calls at Penang". The Star. 30 September 2005.
  44. ^ a b Opalyn Mok (2 Oct 2024). "Final voyage: Iconic ferry 'Pulau Pinang' to make its journey across Penang Strait tomorrow, set for transformation into museum". Malay Mail. Retrieved 29 Oct 2024.
  45. ^ Opalyn Mok (8 December 2023). "Penang Port CEO Says Extra Ferry Open for Private Charter". Malay Mail. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  46. ^ a b "MESYUARAT PERTAMA PENGGAL KEEMPAT DEWAN UNDANGAN NEGERI PULAU PINANG KESEPULUH". Penang State Legislative Assembly. Retrieved 29 Oct 2024.
  47. ^ "Penang Urban Transport Study In Greater Metropolitan Areas" (PDF). Japan International Cooperation Agency. 1981.
  48. ^ a b "Penang monorail project right on track" (PDF). The Star. 12 January 2004 – via Perdana Library.
  49. ^ a b Gooi Hsiao Leung. "Enabling Decentralisation and Improving Federal-State Relations in the Federation of Malaysia" (PDF). Penang Institute. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 December 2023. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  50. ^ "Penang's monorail, Porr projects shelved". Malaysiakini. 25 Jun 2008. Retrieved 29 Oct 2024.
  51. ^ a b c Opalyn Mok (27 Jun 2019). "So what exactly is the Penang Transport Master Plan and how is it being funded?". Malay Mail. Retrieved 29 Oct 2024.
  52. ^ Ooi, Kee Beng; Goh, Ban Lee (2010). Pilot Studies for a New Penang. ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. p. 123. ISBN 9789814279697.
  53. ^ "MyCensus 2020: Mukim/Town/Pekan". Department of Statistics Malaysia. Putrajaya: 174–175. February 2024. ISBN 9789672537069.
  54. ^ "Malaysia transportation statistics 2020" (PDF). Ministry of Transport. 2021. ISSN 0128-2778.
  55. ^ Azhar, Kamarul (27 Aug 2020). "Cover Story: The long & winding saga of the Penang Transport Master Plan and its political fallout". The Edge. Retrieved 29 Oct 2024.
  56. ^ Opalyn Mok (14 Aug 2015). "Local consortium wins bid for RM27b Penang transportation plan". Malay Mail. Retrieved 31 Mar 2024.
  57. ^ Yimie Yong (2 Dec 2015). "Penang LRT construction work to start in 2018". The Edge. Retrieved 31 Mar 2024.
  58. ^ Tan, Sin Chow (2 Apr 2016). "Penang rolls out LRT scheme". The Star. Retrieved 31 Mar 2024.
  59. ^ "Cost of Penang's transport master plan has not surged: Chow". The Sun. 19 Jun 2017. Retrieved 31 Mar 2024.
  60. ^ McIntyre, Ian (6 May 2023). "Putrajaya to provide additional funds for Penang's LRT: Anwar". The Vibes. Retrieved 29 Mar 2024.
  61. ^ "Loke: Federal gov't takes over Penang LRT Mutiara Line project from state gov't". The Sun. 29 Mar 2024. Retrieved 29 Mar 2024.
  62. ^ Azhar, Kamarul (19 Sep 2023). "Government committed to both MRT3 and Penang LRT, says MOT". The Edge. Retrieved 29 Mar 2024.
  63. ^ "On track with Penang LRT construction from December". The Star. 9 Oct 2024. Retrieved 9 Oct 2024.
  64. ^ Nambiar, Predeep (16 Oct 2019). "Penang mulls Botanic Gardens-Penang Hill cable car project". Free Malaysia Today. Archived from the original on 19 April 2024. Retrieved 19 Apr 2024.
  65. ^ Opalyn Mok (11 Oct 2019). "RM100m cable car allocation will spur Penang's tourism sector, says Penang Hill Corporation". Malay Mail. Archived from the original on 19 April 2024. Retrieved 19 Apr 2024.
  66. ^ a b Nambiar, Predeep (3 Feb 2024). "RM245mil Penang cable car project gets EIA approval". Free Malaysia Today. Archived from the original on 19 April 2024. Retrieved 19 Apr 2024.
  67. ^ Nasir, Sofia (11 Jan 2021). "State opens RFP for RM150 mil Penang Hill cable car project". The Vibes. Archived from the original on 19 April 2024. Retrieved 19 Apr 2024.
  68. ^ "Press Statement by the Chief Minister of Penang YAB Tuan Chow Kon Yeow: Penang Hill Cable Car Project Request for Proposal (RFP) Awarded" (PDF). Penang Hill. 14 Dec 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 February 2024. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  69. ^ Trisha, N. (15 Dec 2022). "Penang Hill cable car project gets okay". The Star. Archived from the original on 9 March 2024. Retrieved 19 Apr 2024.
  70. ^ "PM Anwar stresses cultural and environmental considerations for new Penang Hill cable car project". Malay Mail. 29 Jun 2024. Retrieved 2 Jul 2024.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Transport in Penang.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Transport_in_Penang&oldid=1254892817"