PENANG’s first light rail transit (LRT) project is expected to begin earlier, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

He said this is because the federal and state governments agreed for the LRT depot to be built on existing land instead of on reclaimed land in the Penang South Islands project.

Loke said stakeholders are studying several matters to be finalised, such as the location of the depot, which will involve either Penang Development Corporation land or federal government land.

“There are two or three areas being looked at, and once they are finalised, we expect the tender for the construction of the first phase of the project to be called by the end of the year,” he said in a press conference with Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow in George Town today.

Loke was on a working visit to Penang to inspect the LRT station construction site.

He said Putrajaya wants the project to start as soon as possible, considering construction could last five years.

“According to the previous plan, the first-phase LRT route should start at the Penang International Airport and end at Komtar, but MRT Corp feels it is more appropriate for it to be connected to Tanjung Bungah.

“The first phase comprises 27 stations along 29km (of track). All of it will be elevated,” he said, adding that for the next phase, the government hopes to extend the project to Butterworth and Kepala Batas.

Loke said in terms of financing, either MRT Corp will issue bonds or the project will be included in the federal government’s development expenditure. – Bernama, May 30, 2023.