THE Penang Light Rail Transit (LRT) Mutiara Line project will feature 20 stations on Penang Island and one station in Seberang Perai.
State Transport and Infrastructure Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari shared this update at the Penang Legislative Assembly today, based on information provided by MRT Corp, the project developer and asset owner.
“The mainland station will be located at Penang Sentral, linking residents in Seberang Perai to the island. All stations on the Mutiara Line will be elevated,” Zairil said.
The proposed alignment will begin at Silicon Island, passing through key stations such as Permatang Damar Laut, Penang International Airport, Sungai Tiram, Free Industrial Zone (FIZ) South, FIZ, Jalan Tengah, SPICE, Bukit Jambul, Sungai Nibong, Sungai Dua, Batu Uban, Jalan Universiti, Gelugor, Penang Waterfront, East Jelutong, Sungai Pinang, Bandar Sri Pinang, Macallum, and Komtar.
“These alignments will ultimately connect Macallum station to Penang Sentral. However, details for some stations are still being finalised,” Zairil explained.
He also revealed plans for nine stations to include ‘park-and-ride’ facilities, subject to land acquisition. These stations will offer an estimated 1,100 parking spaces at Permatang Damar Laut, Jalan Tengah, Bukit Jambul, Sungai Dua, Jalan Universiti, Penang Sentral, Gelugor, Sungai Pinang, and Bandar Sri Pinang.
Zairil (PH – Tanjong Bunga) provided these details in response to an oral question by Heng Lee Lee (PH – Berapit), who inquired about the number of stations and parking facilities for the LRT project.
When asked by Lee about measures to manage traffic congestion once the LRT is operational, Zairil confirmed that a Traffic Management Plan (TMP) has been developed. The TMP will be overseen by local councils and the state Public Works Department (JKR).
“We have also instructed Rapid Penang and MRT Corp to explore the feasibility of feeder bus services in residential areas to encourage public transport use for accessing LRT stations,” he added.
“An initial discussion on this has already taken place, and further details about the initiative will be announced soon,” Zairil concluded.
Story by Riadz Akmal