Penang Lrt Must Prioritise Ridership Connectivity

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I read with great interest that the Penang LRT line is to be extended to Penang Sentral in Butterworth, crossing over a 4km stretch of the Penang channel.
The cost of construction for this segment will undoubtedly be significant and will inevitably raise serious questions as to whether it is cost-effective.
This is especially so since the extension will serve passengers traveling between Penang Sentral, on the mainland, and George Town on the island — a route previously served by a ferry service which was cancelled due to high operating costs.
This would naturally lead one to ask whether the LRT extension represents a more economical solution when compared to the discontinued ferry service. Needless to say, the 4km water crossing will have no intermediate stations, limiting the potential ridership on the proposed line.
To make the crossing more worthwhile, the government should, instead of investing heavily in a single station at Penang Sentral, extend the line further into Seberang Perai, particularly to high-density residential areas like Bukit Mertajam and Kulim.
Having regard to the high cost of crossing the channel, the additional cost would be marginal but is capable of bringing enormous benefits. It would enlarge the catchment areas in Seberang Perai, adding more numbers to the ridership forecast, and give more value to LRT as a form of choice for public transport.
Neglect of key population areas
High-density areas such as Bukit Mertajam in Seberang Perai and Kulim in Kedah are home to large populations that commute daily to Penang island for work. Previous transport studies and traffic surveys have confirmed this high travel pattern.
Given the relatively short distance between Penang Sentral and the towns of Bukit Mertajam and Kulim, extending the LRT line to serve these areas is unlikely to be prohibitive. It will, however, serve to create a larger catchment area for the LRT, maximising ridership potential.
On the other hand, expecting residents of these two towns to travel to Penang Sentral to access the LRT service undermines the fundamental purpose of public transportation, which is to penetrate residential areas and provide direct access.
A well-planned LRT should prioritise areas with significant commuter demand rather than limiting itself to a few key locations.
Better location for depot, yards
To my mind, Seberang Perai also offers a better site for the LRT’s depot and yards.
Land is scarce on Penang island and far more expensive than on the mainland, where vast tracts of underutilised land are available at lower costs. That being the case, locating the depot in Seberang Perai, particularly in semi-rural areas, would be far more economical and practical.
Placing the depot at Penang Sentral, a congested and high-cost area, or on the island’s reclaimed land, e.g., Silicon Island or the Penang Festival site, does not align with cost-saving principles.
On the other hand, siting the depot in Seberang Perai would also justify extending the LRT line to Bukit Mertajam and Kulim, thereby serving areas where public transport is most needed.
Kulim, by the way, is fast becoming an important industrial hub in the northern region, attracting billions of new investments and offering thousands of new jobs.
Focus on island-centric development
The current LRT plan reflects a heavy bias toward development on the island, neglecting the broader connectivity needs of Penang’s population. The project’s primary focus appears to be on affluent and upmarket areas, which are less likely to rely on public transportation.
Extending the LRT to underrepresented areas like Bukit Mertajam and Kulim would support equitable development and better address transportation needs across the state.
Strategic integration
The current LRT design seems to overlook the importance of efficient integration with existing transportation systems. Public transport works best when it complements existing infrastructure—such as train and bus stations and ferries—to form a cohesive network.
The cancellation of ferries has left a connectivity gap that the LRT must adequately address.
The Penang LRT system must serve the broader needs of the Seberang Perai population to ensure it meets its ridership potential in order to justify its RM13 billion price tag.
Comprehensive transit network
A more comprehensive LRT plan should include multiple stations across Seberang Perai, connecting residential and industrial hubs.
Such a network would serve a larger portion of Penang’s population, provide significant economic and social benefits by improving accessibility to employment and services, and encourage greater adoption of public transportation, reducing dependency on private vehicles.
Recommendations
The LRT line must prioritise high-density populations on the mainland, especially Bukit Mertajam and Kulim, to capture the largest possible commuter base.
Developing an integrated transport network will align the LRT with complementary modes of transportation, including the bus and KTM train services to create a seamless transit experience.
Meanwhile, relocating the depot to Seberang Perai would not only reduce costs and free up valuable urban land area, but also create new employment opportunities in its locality.
Ultimately, there must be equity in development. Rather than being focused on island-centric infrastructure, the LRT project must serve the needs of the broader population, especially those in underserved areas. - 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.

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