GEORGE TOWN: MCA is urging the Penang government to replace the proposed light rail transit (LRT) project with a bus rapid transit (BRT) project, which is more environmentally-friendly, cost effective and suitable for a city like George Town.
State party secretary Yeoh Chin Kah today said a BRT was also easier to build, taking about a year to construct, and had a wider reach.
He said the cost could be borne by the state and would not depend on the federal government.
"If the government invests RM4.4 billion, it can build a 426km-long BRT route.
"For an LRT, it can build only a 40km-long route, and if it's a multilevel mass rail transit, it can build only a 14km route. This shows that a BRT is cost effective.
"A BRT lane can move more people compared with a car lane. A car lane can move 4,500 people an hour one way, while a BRT lane can more up to 10,000 people an hour one way.
"Many cities in China have a BRT, including Beijing, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Dalian, Changzhou, Zhengzhou, Jinan, Hefei, Kunming and Chongqing. It can move 4.3 million passengers a day and can reduce congestion.
"So we are asking the Penang government to do away with the LRT and replace it with a BRT."
In 2018, then transport minister Anthony Loke said an LRT was not the best option for Penang.
He said this based on findings from a study conducted by the decommissioned Land Public Transport Commission (Spad).
Penang had proposed an LRT part of its multibillion ringgit Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP).
Penang is looking to implement the PTMP, which will comprise an LRT, three paired roads and undersea tunnel to solve traffic problems.
Many people have objected to the PTMP.
This is not the first time someone is proposing a BRT for Penang.
State MCA spokesman Tang Heap Seng said an LRT would impose a financial burden on the state's future generation.