The Penang state government is moving ahead with a series of upgrades aimed at improving safety, connectivity and passenger experience at the KTM Butterworth–Penang Sentral transport interchange, following public feedback and operational challenges over the past year.

State Transport and Infrastructure Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the improvements are part of a coordinated effort involving multiple agencies after complaints intensified following a November incident in which an empty KTM Komuter train overshot the track end at Butterworth station.

Speaking during a site visit to KTM Butterworth and Penang Sentral, Zairil said several key upgrades have already been completed, while more comprehensive works are currently in progress or at the planning stage. The agencies involved include Railway Assets Corporation, Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd, Public Works Department, and Malaysian Resources Corporation Berhad.

One of the most immediate improvements is the reopening of the pedestrian walkway linking KTM Butterworth station to Penang Sentral. The 200-metre air-conditioned pathway, which was temporarily closed for safety reasons after the incident, now meets universal design and technical standards, restoring sheltered and accessible movement between the two facilities.

Zairil acknowledged that carrying luggage along the walkway may still be challenging for some users, but said the design complies with accessibility requirements and is manageable at a moderate pace. He added that most existing facilities are in good condition, while remaining issues — particularly malfunctioning lifts — are being addressed.

A larger station upgrading project, supported by the Federal Government, is currently at the tender evaluation stage and expected to commence soon. Planned works include the installation of escalators on both KTM platforms and the reconfiguration of pick-up and drop-off areas. At present, all such activities are concentrated in a single lobby, contributing to congestion.

Separating these zones is expected to significantly improve traffic flow. The upgrade forms part of a broader RM30 million plan announced earlier by Transport Minister Anthony Loke to transform KTM Butterworth, the Butterworth Ferry Terminal and Penang Sentral into a fully integrated public transport hub.

At Penang Sentral, MRCB has also introduced changes to improve e-hailing operations. Grab pick-up and drop-off points will be relocated from Level 8 to Levels 2 and 2A, with dedicated areas for taxis and e-hailing services to reduce driver confusion and improve efficiency.

Zairil said coordination between agencies has been positive, noting that the most difficult period was during November and December when temporary disruptions coincided with the holiday season. He added that efforts are also ongoing to improve schedule alignment between ferry services, KTM, ETS and other transport modes, while advising passengers to allow buffer time when planning their journeys.

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