Mutiara Line Set to Transform Commutes with 21 Station Launch Along Expansive Route

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The Mutiara Line, a proposed light rapid transit system in Penang, is a significant component of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP), an initiative aimed at improving transport infrastructure throughout the state. This project, now under the ownership of the Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRTC), is set to connect George Town’s city centre with its southern suburbs of Jelutong, Gelugor, and Bayan Lepas, and will also include a link towards Seberang Perai across the Penang Strait.

The Mutiara Line will span a total of 29.5 kilometres and feature 21 elevated stations. The line is designed to serve a highly densely populated urban and industrial corridor along the eastern coast of George Town, particularly between the city centre and Bayan Lepas to the south. This transit service will also facilitate easier commutes for tourists arriving via the Penang International Airport.

The project has undergone several revisions since its initial proposal. In April 2015, the idea of a Light Rail Transit (LRT) line from Komtar to the Penang International Airport was first introduced, with an estimated cost of around RM4.5 billion and a projected completion time of five to six years. The original route included 19 stations spanning a 22 km stretch between Komtar and Permatang Damar Laut, with additional stations planned for the proposed Penang South Islands (PSI) reclamation project.

In 2016, the state government submitted the proposed Bayan Lepas LRT system to the federal Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) for approval, and an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was submitted to the federal Department of Environment (DOE) in 2017. However, the project faced delays and was revived in 2022 with a request for proposal (RFP) to obtain private funding and pre-qualify potential operators. Following the federal election in 2022, the federal government, under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, announced additional allocations to expedite the development of the Bayan Lepas LRT line.

In 2023, the federal government officially took over the project, renaming it the Mutiara LRT Line. Significant changes were made to the alignment, including a cross-strait extension from Komtar to Penang Sentral at Butterworth and the relocation of the proposed depot to Sungai Nibong. The alignment was shortened to 28 kilometres, and the Macallum and Sungai Dua stations were designated as interchange stations.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow expressed confidence that the project would take off before the end of 2024, with final-stage negotiations between MRT Corp and SRS Consortium to finalise technical-related issues and the contract value. The groundbreaking ceremony for the Mutiara Line LRT project was scheduled, with the first station to be built in Bandar Sri Pinang. Transport Minister Anthony Loke had approved the start date for the project.

The project is divided into three components: civil construction works for Segment 1 covering the Silicon Island to Komtar alignment, civil construction works for Segment 2 involving the Komtar to Penang Sentral alignment, and a turnkey contract for systems and rolling stock works on a build-maintain-transfer (BMT) basis. The LRT Mutiara Line is expected to begin operations in 2030 and will be linked to Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) and ETS train services.

The Mutiara Line will include several key stations, such as Komtar, Macallum, Bandar Sri Pinang, Gelugor, USM, Batu Uban, Pesta, Sungai Nibong, Bukit Jambul, SPICE, Jalan Tengah, FIZ North, FIZ South, Sungai Tiram, Penang International Airport, and Permatang Damar Laut. These stations will provide crucial connectivity and ease of travel within Penang.

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