Heated debates at PTMP public dialogue
GEORGE TOWN: In yet another attempt to derail the state’s plan for a light rail transit, Penang Forum wants the state to consider an Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit (ART) system.
But other attendees of a public dialogue on Penang’s future would not stand for it and openly berated the NGO.
“If I take your car keys, you lot will suffer. Penang is an old town with old roads, they may be maintained, but they are still old.
“There is no way public transport on the ground will be effective. You cannot put trams on Burma Road and Macalister Road,” a man, who said he is a Batu Ferringhi resident, retorted during the question-and -answer session of a public dialogue on the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) at Dewan Sri Pinang yesterday.
“You cannot expect people who come to the island from Bukit Mertajam and Sungai Petani to use public transport.”
Another man, who said he faced the jams every day going to work, asked those from Penang Forum how many of them actually experienced that daily.
A man named Chan from Gelugor said he used to boast to his friends in Kuala Lumpur about the clear roads in Penang but now he faced jams.
“I think Penangites are becoming restless and fed up. Why has the construction of the Pan Island Link (PIL) 1 and light rail transit (LRT) not started?
“I urge the state government to start the projects as fast as possible so we can go home and spend more time with our families instead of being stuck in jams,” he said.
Another pro-PTMP attendee asked Penang Forum whether a feasibility study was carried out on ART.
“You speak so much, but can anyone answer that question? If not, you can meet me outside and explain,” he said.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow was present and Penang Forum members proposed ART as an alternative to the LRT as a cheaper option while claiming it would be less disruptive during construction.
In the past, Penang Forum has suggested other alternatives, including trams and bus rapid transit.
ART is a new train system developed by China Railway Construction Corporation.
Undaunted by negative comments from other attendees, Penang Forum members later carried placards and held a protest at Dewan Sri Pinang against the PTMP.
Penang Forum is a loose coalition of about 40 NGOs in the state.