‘Improve public transportation in Penang’

GEORGE TOWN: If public transportation system is improved, there would be no need for a third link between Penang island and the mainland, says Halcrow Consultants director Dave Turner.

Turner, a transportation planning expert involved in the Penang Transport Master Plan Study, said the third link depended on whether Penangites were ready to change and start using public transport.

“If we don't start using public transportation, we will eventually need a third link.

“If we don't make any improvement in public transportation, then cars will be the only option for most people's travel. If so, then by 2030, we will need a third link,” he said at a forum on the Penang Master Plan Study.

Halcrow Consultants and Singapore Cruise Centre are part of AJC Planning Consultants which was hired by the state government for the master plan study last May.

Turner, who revealed the findings after almost a year's research, said the study identified the issues on the lack of public transportation on the island and mainland, the pedestrian regime, and taxi and ferry services that needed attention.

He said the population growth would result in travel demand increasing by around 25% or more by 2020 and 50% or more by 2030.

“The methods we have taken to handle this problem are highway-based, public transport-based and policy intervention-based,” he added.

“As such, we have come up with two approaches the Highway Improvement-Based Approach and the Balanced Approach Vision.”

He said both included the Core Package, which was an improvement on the highways, public transport and implementation of policy intervention.

“The Highway Improvement-Based Approach consists of the Core Package along with the Third Crossing, Cross City Link from Jelutong to Air Itam bypass, North Coast Pair Road, Air Itam to Relau Pair Road and the North-South Expressway Link,” he said, adding that the costs were estimated at RM12.5bil.

“The Balanced Approach Vision consists of the Core Package along with the Penang Outer Ring Bypass, the North-South Expressway Link, trams, ferries, commuter rail and George Town/Butterworth Access chargers,” he said. - The Star