Is Penang Spending Billions To Make Traffic Worse


 It’s time to shift focus from vehicle movement to people movement.
Two recent headlines caught my eye: Penang may scrap undersea tunnel plan, and Penang seeks RM1.56 billion for PIL 1 highway.
Both point to a worrying trend: Penang’s continued reliance on car-centric infrastructure as the default solution to traffic congestion.
It’s a tired formula — one that not only fails to solve the problem but worsens it over time. KL did that and look at what it has become.
Let’s be clear: the undersea tunnel, had it proceeded, would have funnelled even more cars from the mainland onto the island.
That’s not solving congestion — it’s importing more of it.
As for the proposed PIL 1 highway, the RM1.56 billion price tag for next year’s budget, is not only excessive, but the project itself is absurd in principle.
Designed solely to cater to private vehicles, it excludes the majority of Penangites who rely on public transport or more affordable mobility options.
Flawed logic of more roads
The belief that building more roads will ease traffic has long been debunked. In reality, more roads generate more traffic — a transport phenomenon known as induced demand.
Over time, congestion doesn’t improve; it compounds.
Penang is already experiencing this, and the trajectory will only worsen if we continue to pour more public funds into concrete instead of common sense.
Learn from Singapore
It’s time to shift our focus from vehicle movement to people movement.
And in that, Penang can take valuable lessons from Singapore — a city-state that has successfully curbed congestion and built one of the most efficient transport systems in the world.
One of Singapore’s key policies is the certificate of entitlement, which regulates car ownership through a limited permit system.
Penang could adopt a similar approach to control the growth of private vehicles. We don’t need more roads — we need fewer cars.
In tandem with ownership controls, Penang must seriously invest in public transport and adopt a more proactive transport pricing mechanism.
Today, we’re contemplating spending RM13 billion of the federal public funds, on a single LRT line, serving a small and short corridor by the coast with limited catchment areas.
For that same amount, the state could roll out an island-wide Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system — complete with dedicated lanes, thousands of new electric buses, and proper passenger facilities.
This would serve more people, more efficiently, at a much faster pace and a significantly lower operating cost.
Likewise, the proposed RM8.88 billion total cost for PIL 1, for a mere 19 km highway could instead be redirected to strengthen the Seberang Perai – Penang island corridor.
This is where traffic bottlenecks are most severe, and where the highest number of commuters would benefit from improved dedicated lane bus rapid transit (BRT) and ferry services.
Honest pricing, bold policy
Why do we still charge just RM7 per car on the first Penang Bridge when Singapore imposes a daily toll of S$14 on Malaysian vehicles entering its territory?
That pricing isn’t punitive — it’s strategic.
It discourages unnecessary car trips, reduces congestion, and helps fund public transport infrastructure and services.
Penang must stop subsidising congestion and start managing it smartly.
A smarter, fairer way forward
Penang stands at a crossroads—both literally and figuratively.
We can either stay trapped in the loop of highway expansion and car dependency, or we can break free by prioritising public transport, limiting private vehicle growth, and planning our cities for people, not cars.
This isn’t about copying Singapore for the sake of imitation. It’s about applying what works, with local adaptations and political will.
The stakes are high: our quality of life, our environment, and our economic vitality all depend on how we move people — not how we move vehicles.
It’s time for Penang to act boldly, rethink its transport future, and build a system that serves everyone — not just those who drive. - FMT
The author can be reached at: [email protected]
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.


Artikel ini hanyalah simpanan cache dari url asal penulis yang berkebarangkalian sudah terlalu lama atau sudah dibuang :

http://malaysiansmustknowthetruth.blogspot.com/2025/05/is-penang-spending-billions-to-make.html

Kempen Promosi dan Iklan
Kami memerlukan jasa baik anda untuk menyokong kempen pengiklanan dalam website kami. Serba sedikit anda telah membantu kami untuk mengekalkan servis percuma aggregating ini kepada semua.

Anda juga boleh memberikan sumbangan anda kepada kami dengan menghubungi kami di sini
Ex Prasarana Ceo Questions Rm8 5bil Penang Lrt Deal With Gamuda And Srs

Ex Prasarana Ceo Questions Rm8 5bil Penang Lrt Deal With Gamuda And Srs

papar berkaitan - pada 11/5/2025 - jumlah : 194 hits
FORMER Prasarana Malaysia Bhd CEO Datuk Ridza Abdoh Salleh warned that Malaysia is showing signs of becoming an oligarchy with wealth and political power increasingly concentrated among a few elites who dominate policies In a LinkedIn post ...
Free Ferry Services In Penang For Wesak Day

Free Ferry Services In Penang For Wesak Day

papar berkaitan - pada 10/5/2025 - jumlah : 237 hits
The ferries from Butterworth to George Town and vice versa will run from 6 30am to 11 30pm Ferry services between Butterworth and George Town will be free of charge on Wesak day GEORGE TOWN Ferry services across the Penang channel will be f...
Tb Among Penang S Top 5 Most Reported Infectious Diseases

Tb Among Penang S Top 5 Most Reported Infectious Diseases

papar berkaitan - pada 11/5/2025 - jumlah : 310 hits
Heavy smokers and the elderly are most at risk says state health deputy director Dr Rozaini Mat Shah State health deputy director Dr Rozaini Mat Shah said smokers are more susceptible to tuberculosis because of the harmful effects of smokin...
Penang Cops Bust Loan Shark Syndicate Nab 4

Penang Cops Bust Loan Shark Syndicate Nab 4

papar berkaitan - pada 12/5/2025 - jumlah : 145 hits
Police say the suspects were involved in 33 paint splashing incidents across Penang Perak and Kedah Penang police chief Hamzah Ahmad said several items were seized including a Toyota Vios five mobile phones a can of red paint and a bag of p...
5 People Fined For Feeding Pigeons In Penang

5 People Fined For Feeding Pigeons In Penang

papar berkaitan - pada 12/5/2025 - jumlah : 195 hits
The council said that despite repeated reminders some members of the public continued to feed pigeons complicating efforts to control the bird population NSTP ZUHAINY ZULKIFFLIGEORGE TOWN The Penang Island City Council fined five people RM2...
Inappropriate For Pm To Make Second Wife Joke

Inappropriate For Pm To Make Second Wife Joke

papar berkaitan - pada 24/5/2025 - jumlah : 149 hits
It is not anyone s place to teach senior citizens good manners or how to behave in public so what came over Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim when he joked about second wives with Russian President Vladimir Putin One should not have to remind th...
Hasil Make Over Ruang Tamu

Hasil Make Over Ruang Tamu

papar berkaitan - pada 20/5/2025 - jumlah : 160 hits
Assalamualaikum Lupa plak nak simpan kat sini final result lepas dah gantung langsir baru hari tu Gigih Dania dan suami tolong gantung SA letakkan besi2 tu kat langsir ukuran langsir ni dah ok dan boleh tahan gak lebarnya kena pandai susun ...
Fru Crash Tragedy Fatal Accidents Due To Narrow Roads Lack Of Traffic Lights Claim Residents

Fru Crash Tragedy Fatal Accidents Due To Narrow Roads Lack Of Traffic Lights Claim Residents

papar berkaitan - pada 14/5/2025 - jumlah : 178 hits
TELUK INTAN Residents here claim that narrow roads and the lack of traffic lights along Jalan Chikus Sungai Lampam are among the factors contributing to the frequent fatal accidents in the area Sungai Lampam Kanan Federal Village Developmen...
Polis Traffic Ini Patit Dipuji Beliau Iklas Membantu Seorang Nenek Tahniah Terbaik

Polis Traffic Ini Patit Dipuji Beliau Iklas Membantu Seorang Nenek Tahniah Terbaik

papar berkaitan - pada 9/5/2025 - jumlah : 172 hits
Diari ilham Nerizen puji sikap Polis ini video tular polis trafik yang menumpangkan seorang nenek
From Data To Decisions How Artificial Intelligence Is Transforming Digital Marketing Strategies

Drama Epok

Police Beef Up Presence Ahead Of Turun Anwar Rally In Kl

Garuda Muda Lolos Ke Final Indonesia U 23 Taklukkan Thailand Lewat Adu Penalti Di Gbk

Peserta Wanita Himpunan Turun Anwar Alami Sesak Nafas Dikejarkan Ke Hospital

Small Parties Risk Being Tied To Pn In Opposition Front

Tian Chua Tolak Jemputan Hadir Demo Turun Anwar

Bring Me Your Concerns In Parliament Not Just On Streets Says Anwar


echo '';
Info Dan Sinopsis Drama Berepisod Dendam Seorang Madu Slot Tiara Astro Prima

10 Fakta Biodata Amira Othman Yang Digosip Dengan Fattah Amin Penyanyi Lagu Bila Nak Kahwin

5 Tips Macam Mana Nak Ajak Orang Kita Suka Dating Dengan Kita

Info Dan Sinopsis Drama Berepisod Keluarga Itu Slot Lestary TV3

Bolehkah Manusia Transgender Mencapai Klimaks Selepas Bertukar


Dosa Cinta

Selepas Himpunan Turun Anwar Apakah Ada Langkah Seterusnya

Allah Tahu Segalanya Walau Tak Pernah Kita Luah

Bondan Prakoso Feat Fade 2 Black Bunga Chord

Road Tested Retro Full Face Lid From Smk Helmets

15 Villa Dan Resort Di Janda Baik Private Pool Up To 10 Pax