While it is comforting to note that the project will not be built all at once, the key issue here is what has the state govt. already signed up with SRS consortium? Are there any escape clauses? Or have the people of Penang been locked in to this plan for the next 15 years? This is one of the concerns voiced by the NGOs: that the Penang state govt. appears to have made the decision to choose SRS consortiums vague ideas of needing to build a monorail+LRT without thorough INDEPENDENT study or public consultation.

If the entire project was to be carried out in stages why not commission an independent study to propose the traffic system, then open up the construction and operation of each stage for open tender to construct. Why award the entire project from the start?

Unfortunately, there WAS and independent study carried out by Halcrow paid for by the Penang state govt, and the independent study proposed in the original PTMP that an island wide integrated BRT and tram line was what was most suitable for Penang up to 2030. So why were the independent consultants proposal ignored and instead SRS Consortium’s mega transport project of tram+LRT+bus+monorail+skycab chosen instead?

Maybe SRS consortium proposal is better than the original independent PMTP. I don’t know. But really it is up to the state govt. and SRS consortium to provide convincing answers to the critics. It is not acceptable to silence the critics of the plan with claims: they not having any alternative or trying to sabotage the govt. etc.

@Kta
Plaese trust Malaysia civil engineers, architects, quantity surveyors, structural engineers and M&E emgineers.They have come a long way in construction highways & roads for Malaysia. To comment with facts, I think you need to study engineering in a college first…..then start to work from the bottom as a field engineer…..after twenty to thirty years, you might be qualify as a consultant…..For everyone to listen to you, you will need to design a world acclamined transport plan & win an internationl distinguished prize…..Don’t watch too many LRV commercial ad…..Start pursue an engineering degree & learn how to drop a basket of eggs from ten floors without breaking it.

If all NGOs do is delaying, reconsidering, restudying, replanning, reconsulting… good luck to Penang then.. no offend ya..

@BL Tan

Great that you put your trust in consultants then, because the independent consultants from Halcrow that was commissioned to formulate the Penang Transport Master Plan determined that trams and BRT was sufficient for Penang’s use up till 2030 and that trains was deemed not a necessity.

So if you trust consultants so much why do you disagree with the independent consultants then? Why is it you will trust consultants from SRS Consortium but not the independent consultants from Halcrow? Please provide good objective reasoning why SRS consortium’s proposal is better than Halcrow’s.

You think to win arguments by just asking your critics to go and study engineering degree? As if other people are clueless and you somehow know so much more? If you know so much more, then please do share.

Malaysian engineers reside in Malaysia so they understand Malaysia traffic well. British consultants are good but they have difficulty to understand the condition of Jalan Dato Keramat, Jalan Ayer Itam & Jalan Jelutong. You just cannot put Tram on these three major roads. That was the main reason you cannot see NGO supporters on most of the web discussing about PTMP. The Halcrow recommendation of Ayer Itam-Komtar” & Bayan Lepas-Komtar” tram lines are practically incorrect as it will cause big traffic jam to Penang traffic users. Believe it or not, Penangites will continue to ride their own motorbike/motorcar & will not use Tram, LRV, LRT, Monorail or Rapid Bus. The British consultants will never understand why Malaysia riders still stick to their motorbike/motorcar. Ask yourself, how many times have you board a Rapid Bus?