LETTERS: The Penang light rail transit (LRT) was mooted eight years ago.
Then, detractors dismissed it as unnecessary for a small island with a population of less than a million.
Also, self-proclaimed transport experts advocated alternative systems without appreciating Penang's unique circumstances.
In Kuala Lumpur, the introduction of the LRT and later the mass rapid transit improved public transport.
The Transport Ministry's announcement that the LRT project would start in November sparked a flicker of hope.
It was reported that the Penang LRT project has been taken over by the federal government. It is estimated to take six years and will be completed by 2030.
The opposition to the LRT and the preference for at-grade transit solutions like the autonomous rail transit overlook Penang's land constraints and dense population.
Why are we reinventing something that has been tried and tested?
The LRT has proven its worth in Klang Valley by providing an affordable alternative to private vehicle ownership.
Young professionals in Penang spend many hours each day stuck in traffic, hours that could otherwise contribute to a more productive life.
The young workforce, the economic future and the environmental sustainability of Penang cannot be held hostage to outdated way of looking at things.
The LRT will decrease vehicle emissions, improve air quality and contribute to a healthier urban environment.
It is time for government officials, business leaders, residents and even sceptics to support a project that promises to transform Penang into a more connected, sustainable and vibrant community.
CLARENCE FONG
Air Itam, Penang
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times