Latest news with #PTMP
The Star
17-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Penang's Mutiara Line LRT contractor given the nod to start work
GEORGE TOWN: Construction work on the Mutiara Line light rail transit (LRT) project has received the green light to begin after it was issued a notice to proceed. Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the notice was issued on Tuesday (July 15) to main contractor SRS Consortium Sdn Bhd by project developer Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRT Corp). "With this, the construction process will commence as planned, including the relocation of utilities, road widening, piling and site establishment works along approved segments of the Mutiara Line alignment. "The works would proceed at various locations along the route where approvals had already been secured from the relevant authorities," he said in a statement on Thursday (July 17). Chow said the state government is now awaiting the outcome of the tender process for two remaining packages: the turnkey contractor for CMC2, covering the stretch from Macallum to Penang Sentral, and the rail systems package for the entire line. "This year has seen several significant developments for the project, including the groundbreaking ceremony at the Bandar Sri Pinang station site, the appointment of SRS as the turnkey contractor for CMC1 in January, and now, the issuance of the notice. "Looking ahead, a strategic communications platform and public feedback channel will soon be launched to support ongoing and future mega infrastructure projects in the state. "This will enable the public to obtain further information on the projects," he added. The state government has urged the people to give their full cooperation throughout the implementation of the project, which is expected to be completed in 2031. The Mutiara Line is Penang's first LRT system. It is a key component of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP), designed to enhance connectivity and alleviate traffic congestion on both the island and the mainland.
New Straits Times
01-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Still no green light for LRT construction work in Penang
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government is still awaiting the Notice to Proceed or official notice to commence physical work on the Mutiara Line light rail transit project. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said, although the official notice from the Transport Ministry has yet to be issued, several preliminary works had already been carried out on site, including soil investigations, land acquisition and compensation negotiations with the involved landowners. "The official notice is important to enable full-scale physical construction works according to the planned schedule and plans. "At the moment, we are still waiting for official instructions from the ministry and MRT Corp," he said after officiating the Penang Transport Day 2025 here today. The 29.5km Mutiara Line LRT includes 21 strategic stations and designed to enhance connectivity between Penang island and the mainland, thereby reducing road congestion and improving accessibility. The main route plan covers the route from Penang Silicon Island to Penang Sentral and the Komtar station in George Town, with train services scheduled to operate alternately along the route. Chow said the state government has fulfilled its responsibilities by fully handing over the roles related to the LRT project to MRT Corp and releasing SRS Consortium from its previous role as the party that applied for the LRT implementation before. "The state government's relationship with SRS is now within the context of the other Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) projects, but for the LRT project, it has been taken over by MRT. "So now the main responsibility lies with the federal government to issue the notice," he added. Asked on the expected date for the issuance of the Notice to Proceed, Chow said the preliminary information received earlier stated it would be issued within a month or two. "Last month, I mentioned one or two months, so the second month is this month. Hopefully, it will really be issued this month," he said. Meanwhile, Chow said, as experienced in the LRT construction project in Kuala Lumpur, it was important for contractors to ensure that any road space taken in the course of construction, is replaced with road widening on the shoulders or side areas to maintain the existing number of lanes. "In Bandar Baru Air Itam, for example, the area used for road construction was replaced by taking land on the sides to ensure the two-lane route remains functional," he said. He added that, currently, the state government has no plans to impose any congestion charges because the priority now is to ensure smooth project implementation and traffic management throughout the construction period.
GMA Network
04-06-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
Marcos agreed PUV modernization not viable at present — Palace
President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. agreed that the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP) is not viable as most jeepney drivers have to borrow money to acquire a new unit. On Wednesday, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro was asked about the President's sentiment on the remarks made by Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon that the modernization program is not feasible at the moment. ''Nong binanggit po ito ni Secretary Dizon kay Pangulo, positibo naman po ang response ng ating Pangulo at ayaw naman din po niyang pahirapan ang mga operators at mga jeepney drivers natin kung ipu-push po ito tapos parang pilit,'' Castro said at a press briefing. (When Secretary Dizon mentioned this to the President, his response was positive and he doesn't want operators and jeepney drivers to feel the burden if the government will push for this at this time.) ''So, dapat po talagang aralin para po lahat po naman ay maging maayos ang takbo at pag-implement po ng programa na ito,'' she added. (There's really a need to study this so that the implementation of the program will be smooth.) Dizon earlier said that a modernized jeepney unit costs roughly between P2.5 million to P2.8 million, of which 15% to be subsidized by the government. Drivers will shoulder an estimated P40,000 He said that transport cooperatives and operators were given "limited" loaning options with the PTMP. The DOTr has also come up with several interventions in a bid to address the problem, according to Dizon. Initiated in 2017, the PTMP—formerly the PUV Modernization Program—seeks to replace old jeepneys with Euro 4-compliant models to reduce pollution and improve road safety. However, the cost of a modern jeepney exceeds P2 million, a price deemed too steep even by government financial institutions. The program mandated the consolidation of individual PUV franchises into cooperatives or corporations. Unconsolidated units were classified as ''colorum'' and were subject to penalties. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
Barnama
21-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Penang Undersea Tunnel Project Remains Relevant, Beneficial
GEORGE TOWN, May 21 (Bernama) -- The Penang Undersea Tunnel project remains relevant and is expected to bring positive impact to the people and the state's development, said State Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari. He said the project would help ease severe traffic congestion on access roads to the First Penang Bridge, especially by diverting high traffic volumes in both directions to the proposed tunnel route. 'The new design for the undersea tunnel offers a viable and significant alternative to ensure continuity and direction for the Third Link project. 'It takes into account efficiency, feasibility, effectiveness, as well as social and environmental impact,' he said. Zairil was responding in writing to a question from Lee Khai Loon (PH-Machang Bubuk) during the Penang state legislative assembly sitting today, regarding the rationale for allowing Consortium Zenith Construction (CZC) Sdn Bhd additional time to produce a new design and conduct a feasibility study. He added that the state government remains optimistic about the project's feasibility but retains the right to decide on its implementation based on the findings of the study and the terms of the Master Agreement with the contractor. On Feb 26, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the project's feasibility study is still under review. The state government is also considering several related factors, including the proposed expansion of the North Butterworth Container Terminal (NBCT), which affects the tunnel's alignment. The 6.5-kilometre tunnel, intended to link Gurney Drive to Bagan Ajam on the mainland, is part of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP). -- BERNAMA
The Sun
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Penang undersea tunnel project remains relevant, beneficial
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Undersea Tunnel project remains relevant and is expected to bring positive impact to the people and the state's development, said State Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari. He said the project would help ease severe traffic congestion on access roads to the First Penang Bridge, especially by diverting high traffic volumes in both directions to the proposed tunnel route. 'The new design for the undersea tunnel offers a viable and significant alternative to ensure continuity and direction for the Third Link project. 'It takes into account efficiency, feasibility, effectiveness, as well as social and environmental impact,' he said. Zairil was responding in writing to a question from Lee Khai Loon (PH-Machang Bubuk) during the Penang state legislative assembly sitting today, regarding the rationale for allowing Consortium Zenith Construction (CZC) Sdn Bhd additional time to produce a new design and conduct a feasibility study. He added that the state government remains optimistic about the project's feasibility but retains the right to decide on its implementation based on the findings of the study and the terms of the Master Agreement with the contractor. On Feb 26, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the project's feasibility study is still under review. The state government is also considering several related factors, including the proposed expansion of the North Butterworth Container Terminal (NBCT), which affects the tunnel's alignment. The 6.5-kilometre tunnel, intended to link Gurney Drive to Bagan Ajam on the mainland, is part of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP).
