GEORGE TOWN: Penang will study a proposal to build a trackless Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit (ART) as an alternative to the proposed light rail transit (LRT) in its mega multi-billion Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) project.
During a question-and-answer session at the PTMP for Penangites forum at Dewan Sri Pinang today, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state government was briefed by China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) on the new train system last week.
“ART is relatively new. CRCC came to Penang last week and presented the ART to us,” he said.
“But, it will not be fair for us to respond now. Previously, they (Penang Forum) only talked about trams. It is a new product, but we will not rule it out. We will look into it.”
Chow was responding to a presentation by Penang Forum member Dr Lim Mah Hui called “Better, Cheaper, Faster Penang Transport Master Plan”.
He hinted that it would be difficult to implement ART in Penang.
“In the video, the train was on an eight to 10 lanes highway. Penang does not have that,” he said.
ART is the world’s first electric-powered train system which was launched recently in two cities in China.
The ART system is said to be more energy- and cost-efficient than LRT.
The train, which has a lifespan of 25 years, only needs 10 minutes of charging for it to travel up to 25km.
About 300 Penangites, including representatives of local non-governmental organisations, attended the forum.
Lim said the proposed Pan Island Link 1 (PIL 1) had to be scrapped, while the PTMP project should be reviewed.
“Our arguments are backed by facts. More highways will not solve traffic congestion in the state. The only alternative is to improve the public transport system,” said Lim.
“Penangites will only enjoy congestion-free roads for five years. After that we will be back to square one. This is why we are proposing for the PTMP to be reviewed.”