Penang Transport Master Plan

Penang had a population density of {{cvt|1,659|/km2|}} {{As of|2020|lc=y}}, the highest of all Malaysian states, and ranked as the second most urbanised state with an urbanisation level of 92.5%.{{my10|2020kf}}{{Cite news |date=23 December 2022 |title=Statistics Dept: Malaysia's Urbanisation Rate Tripled over Five Decades |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2022/12/23/statistics-dept-malaysias-urbanisation-rate-tripled-over-five-decades/46783 |access-date=4 December 2023 |work=Malay Mail}} Within Penang, George Town had a population density of approximately {{convert|2596|/km2|abbr=on}}, making it one of the most densely populated cities in Malaysia.{{my10|2020kf}}

This, combined with the high level of vehicle ownership, exacerbates traffic congestion within the state. {{As of|2020}}, Penang recorded 2,772,378 private vehicles for a population of 1,740,405, resulting in a ratio of 1.59 vehicles per person.{{my10|2020kf}}{{Cite journal |date=2021 |title=Malaysia transportation statistics 2020 |url=https://www.mot.gov.my/en/Statistik%20Tahunan%20Pengangkutan/Transport%20Statistics%20Malaysia%202020.pdf |journal=Ministry of Transport |issn=0128-2778}} Traffic congestion was particularly pronounced along the downtown George Town{{En dash}}Bayan Lepas corridor, where average daily traffic reached 64,144 vehicles in 2018.{{Cite journal |last=Joshua Woo Sze Zeng |date=9 July 2020 |title=Exploring a Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Framework for Penang's Urban Growth |url=https://penanginstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Exploring-Transit-Oriented-Development-Framework-for-Penang.pdf |url-status=live |journal=Penang Institute |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227151848/https://penanginstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Exploring-Transit-Oriented-Development-Framework-for-Penang.pdf |archive-date=27 December 2023 |access-date=27 December 2023}}

In 1981, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) conducted a study aimed at enhancing transportation infrastructure in Penang, recommending the conversion of major roads into exclusive bus lanes, and the development of a rail system linking downtown George Town with Bayan Lepas and Ayer Itam.{{Cite journal |date=1981 |title=Penang Urban Transport Study In Greater Metropolitan Areas |url=https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/10596914_03.pdf |journal=Japan International Cooperation Agency}} Subsequent studies by Universiti Sains Malaysia and Halcrow Group from 1996 to 1997 further evaluated these strategies.{{Cite web |title=MESYUARAT PERTAMA PENGGAL KEEMPAT DEWAN UNDANGAN NEGERI PULAU PINANG KESEPULUH |url=https://adun.penang.gov.my/soalan/displayportal?soal_id=3553&pers_id=4 |access-date=29 Oct 2024 |website=Penang State Legislative Assembly}} In 2002, the Penang state government, under then Chief Minister Koh Tsu Koon, proposed a RM2 billion monorail project for George Town. Although the proposal received support from successive Malaysian prime ministers Mahathir Mohamad and Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, it was eventually scrapped by 2008 after Pakatan Rakyat (predecessor to the present-day Pakatan Harapan coalition) wrested control of Penang in the state election that year.{{Cite news |date=12 January 2004 |title=Penang monorail project right on track |url=http://lib.perdana.org.my/PLF/Digital_Content/Prominent_Leaders/Mahathir/News_1968-2004/2001-2005/2004/00123199.pdf |work=The Star |via=Perdana Library}}{{Cite journal |last=Gooi Hsiao Leung |title=Enabling Decentralisation and Improving Federal-State Relations in the Federation of Malaysia |url=https://penanginstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/web_version_final.pdf |url-status=live |journal=Penang Institute |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230082711/https://penanginstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/web_version_final.pdf |archive-date=30 December 2023 |access-date=30 December 2023}}{{Cite news |date=25 Jun 2008 |title=Penang's monorail, Porr projects shelved |url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/85072 |access-date=29 Oct 2024 |work=Malaysiakini}}

In 2009, the Penang Transport Council (PTC), which included non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and state executive councillors, proposed that the state government develop a master plan for long-term statewide transportation planning. The master plan was expected to encompass the construction of additional expressways, the implementation of a one-way street traffic management system and the adoption of an intelligent transportation system. By 2010, a tender was issued to appoint consultants to conceptualise the master plan.

In 2011, AJC Planning Consultants, in partnership with Halcrow Group and Singapore Cruise Centre, were tasked with conducting new studies for this masterplan. Halcrow presented its findings in the following year, which included strategies for public transport, highway development, an accessibility report and recommendations for institutional reforms. The Halcrow proposal recommended the expansion of public bus routes, and the introduction of bus rapid transit (BRT), tram and light rail transit (LRT) systems to achieve a 40:60 ratio of private vehicles to public transport.

Halcrow's findings laid the foundation for the PTMP, which was unveiled by then Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng in 2015. The initial cost of the master plan was projected to be RM27 billion. Lim also announced the appointment of SRS Consortium, comprising Gamuda Berhad, Penang-based Loh Phoy Yen Holdings and Ideal Property Development, as the Project Delivery Partner (PDP) for the PTMP.{{Cite news |last=Opalyn Mok |date=14 Aug 2015 |title=Local consortium wins bid for RM27b Penang transportation plan |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2015/08/14/local-consortium-wins-bid-for-rm27b-penang-transportation-plan/951679 |access-date=31 Mar 2024 |work=Malay Mail}} The consortium secured the contract in a request for proposal exercise, overcoming five other contenders {{En dash}} namely IJM Corporation, Prasarana Malaysia, Singapore-based CGC Group and two Hong Kong-based investors.

Securing funding for the PTMP proved contentious. As an opposition state, Penang lacked federal support for public transportation, which falls under the ambit of the federal government. Prime Minister Najib Razak had disregarded the state government's requests for financial assistance.{{Cite news |date=1 Jun 2015 |title=RMK-11, permohonan P. Pinang tidak dilayan – KM |url=https://www.buletinmutiara.com/rmk-11-permohonan-p-pinang-tidak-dilayan-km/ |access-date=31 Mar 2024 |work=Buletin Mutiara |language=MS}} Land reclamation rights for the PDP was subsequently suggested to finance the PTMP. Initially, an area of {{Convert|1500|acre|abbr=on}} around Gazumbo Island in the Penang Strait was proposed for land reclamation. However, the state government later retracted this proposal because of ecological concerns and chose instead to focus on land reclamation along the southern coast of Penang Island.{{Cite news |last=Afandi |first=Aishah |last2=Jennifer Tham |date=29 Nov 2015 |title=Gazette Middle Bank to protect marine life |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2015/11/29/gazette-middle-bank-to-protect-marine-life/1013769 |access-date=14 Dec 2024 |work=Malay Mail}} The state government estimated that the sale of the reclaimed land could yield RM70 billion in revenue to help cover the costs of PTMP. Furthermore, the development of the newly-reclaimed land was anticipated to create an economic spillover of RM100 billion. The Penang South Reclamation (PSR) scheme, which has since transformed into the Silicon Island project, was introduced in late 2015.{{Cite news |last=Opalyn Mok |date=14 Aug 2015 |title=Local consortium wins bid for RM27b Penang transportation plan |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2015/08/14/local-consortium-wins-bid-for-rm27b-penang-transportation-plan/951679 |access-date=31 Mar 2024 |work=Malay Mail}}{{Cite news |last=Opalyn Mok |date=3 Oct 2022 |title=Penang South Reclamation project discussed by state excos every week, says CM |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2022/10/03/penang-south-reclamation-project-discussed-by-state-excos-every-week-says-cm/31395 |access-date=14 Dec 2024 |work=Malay Mail}}

The PTMP is a multimodal master plan consisting of various public transportation and highway components.

{{Main|Mutiara line}}

A {{Convert|17.5|km|abbr=on|adj=on}} light rail line between Komtar and the Penang International Airport was first proposed in 2015 as the backbone of a future metro network in Penang.{{Cite news |title=Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) |url=http://www.penangpropertytalk.com/penang-transport-master-plan/ |access-date=2018-05-20 |work=Penang Property Talk |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |date=16 Apr 2015 |title=Penang to get first LRT project next year, report claims |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2015/04/16/penang-to-get-first-lrt-project-next-year-report-claims/879351 |access-date=31 Mar 2024 |work=Malay Mail}} The line was subsequently extended to {{Convert|30|km|abbr=on|adj=on}}, spanning the proposed islets under the PSR scheme.{{Cite web |date=2016-03-04 |title=Penang public transport plan revealed – LRT, BRT, monorail and trams to connect island to mainland - paultan.org |url=https://paultan.org/2016/03/04/penang-public-transport-plan-revealed-lrt-brt-monorail-and-trams-to-connect-island-to-mainland/ |access-date=2024-03-31 |website=Paul Tan's Automotive News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2019-07-13 |title=Bayan Lepas LRT – Penang Master Plan |url=https://pgmasterplan.penang.gov.my/en/2019/07/bayan-lepas-lrt/ |access-date=2024-03-29 |language=en-US}} It received conditional approval from federal regulators in 2019, amid overwhelming public support for the project.{{Cite news |last=Idris |first=Ahmad Naqib |date=18 Jul 2019 |title=Penang gets conditional nod for Bayan Lepas LRT |url=https://theedgemalaysia.com/article/penang-gets-conditional-nod-bayan-lepas-lrt |access-date=29 Mar 2024 |work=The Edge}}{{Cite news |last=Nambiar |first=Predeep |date=29 Aug 2019 |title=Overwhelming public approval for Penang's LRT project, says CM |url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2019/08/29/overwhelming-public-approval-for-penangs-lrt-project-says-cm/ |access-date=29 Mar 2024 |work=Free Malaysia Today}}{{Cite news |date=27 Nov 2019 |title=97% support for the Penang LRT project: Chow |url=https://thesun.my/local_news/97-support-for-the-penang-lrt-project-chow-AG1668376 |access-date=31 Mar 2024 |work=The Sun}} However, political feuding between the federal and state governments in the aftermath of the Sheraton Move in 2020 further delayed the project's implementation.{{Cite journal |last=Gooi |first=Hsiao Leung |author-link=Gooi Hsiao Leung |title=Enabling Decentralisation and Improving Federal-State Relations in the Federation of Malaysia |url=https://penanginstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/web_version_final.pdf |journal=Penang Institute |pages=29–31}}{{Cite news |last=Opalyn Mok |date=1 Dec 2020 |title=Penang LRT project to go on with other financing options, says Chow |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/12/01/penang-lrt-project-to-go-on-with-other-financing-options-says-chow/1927698 |access-date=31 Mar 2024 |work=Malay Mail}}{{Cite news |last=Zainul |first=Emir |date=28 Nov 2020 |title=Putrajaya pulls back govt guarantee for Penang's US$500m loan to finance LRT project |url=https://theedgemalaysia.com/article/putrajaya-pulls-back-govt-guarantee-penangs-us500m-loan-finance-lrt-project |access-date=31 Mar 2024 |work=The Edge}} It was not until 2023 that federal funding was secured, under newly-elected Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.{{Cite news |last=McIntyre |first=Ian |date=6 May 2023 |title=Putrajaya to provide additional funds for Penang's LRT: Anwar |url=https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/91985/putrajaya-to-provide-additional-funds-for-penangs-lrt-anwar |access-date=29 Mar 2024 |work=The Vibes}} The project was renamed the Mutiara Line and in 2024, federal authorities assumed control and redesigned it to add a cross-strait extension to Seberang Perai.{{Cite news |date=29 Mar 2024 |title=Loke: Federal gov't takes over Penang LRT Mutiara Line project from state gov't |url=https://thesun.my/local_news/loke-federal-gov-t-takes-over-penang-lrt-mutiara-line-project-from-state-gov-t-JG12275905 |access-date=29 Mar 2024 |work=The Sun}}{{Cite web |date=2024-03-29 |title=曹观友：横跨槟威海峡 槟城将迎轻快铁大桥 - 地方 - 北马新闻 |url=https://northern.sinchew.com.my/news/20240329/northern/5496927 |access-date=2024-03-30 |website=星洲网 Sin Chew Daily Malaysia Latest News and Headlines |language=zh-CN}} Construction of the {{Convert|29.5|km|abbr=on|adj=on}} Mutiara line commenced in 2025 and is expected to be completed by 2031.{{Cite news |last=Hilmy |first=Imran |date=11 January 2025 |title=PM Anwar officiates Penang's Mutiara Line LRT project groundbreaking ceremony |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/01/11/pm-anwar-officiates-penang039s-mutiara-line-lrt-project-groundbreaking-ceremony |access-date=11 January 2025 |work=The Star}}

A {{Convert|7|km|abbr=on|adj=on}} monorail line has been proposed to connect Komtar with the northern suburbs of George Town, namely Tanjong Tokong and Tanjong Pinang. The line will consist of eight stations.{{Cite web |date=2016-04-24 |title=Penang Monorail – Tanjung Tokong Line |url=https://www.penangpropertytalk.com/2016/04/penang-monorail-tanjung-tokong-line/ |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=Penang Property Talk}} Following the federal takeover of the Mutiara LRT, the Tanjong Tokong line will be incorporated as a future extension of the Mutiara line.{{Cite web |title=FAQs – Mutiara LRT Line |url=https://laluanmutiara.mymrt.com.my/faqs/ |access-date=11 Jan 2025 |website=Mutiara line |publisher=Mass Rapid Transit Corporation}}

A {{Convert|13|km|abbr=on|adj=on}} monorail line has been proposed to link Komtar with the western suburbs of George Town, namely Ayer Itam and Paya Terubong. The line will consist of 13 stations.{{Cite web |date=2016-04-22 |title=Penang Monorail - Air Itam Line |url=https://www.penangpropertytalk.com/2016/04/penang-monorail-air-itam-line/ |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=Penang Property Talk}} Similar to the Tanjong Tokong line, the Ayer Itam line will also be included as a future extension of the Mutiara LRT line.

Trams had been introduced within downtown George Town in the 1880s, when Penang was part of the British crown colony of the Straits Settlements. They became obsolete by 1936.{{Cite book |last=Francis |first=Ric |title=Penang Trams, Trolleybuses & Railways: Municipal Transport History, 1880s–1963 |publisher=Areca Books |year=2006 |isbn=9789834283407}} The PTMP includes a proposal to revive George Town's tram service, specifically within the city's UNESCO World Heritage Site. The proposed tram line would comprise six stops between Komtar and Swettenham Pier, one of the major points of entry into the city.{{Cite web |date=2016-05-04 |title=George Town Tram Line |url=https://www.penangpropertytalk.com/2016/05/george-town-tram-line/ |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=Penang Property Talk}}

In parallel with the conceptualisation of the PTMP in 2011, the Penang state government entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG) to build three highways {{En dash}} the Pan Island Link 1 (PIL1), Pan Island Link 2 (PIL2) and Pan Island Link 2a (PIL2a) {{En dash}} and a cross-strait tunnel as the third link between George Town and Seberang Perai. The tunnel is intended to complement the existing Penang Bridge and the Second Penang Bridge. While these projects were proposed separately from the PTMP, Halcrow's 2012 report included them, although it advised that the tunnel should only be considered for development by 2030.

BUCG formed a partnership with local firm Zenith Construction, creating Consortium Zenith Construction (CZC) in 2012. The consortium was appointed as the developer for the three highways and the undersea tunnel in the following year. In exchange for these projects, CZC received exclusive development rights for {{Convert|44.5|ha|abbr=on}} of land at Gurney Bay, which eliminated the need for toll charges to finance construction.{{Cite news |last=Sekaran |first=R. |date=11 Oct 2019 |title=Penang govt inks RM851mil Air Itam-Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway paired road deal |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/10/11/penang-govt-inks-rm851mil-air-itam-tun-dr-lim-chong-eu-expressway-paired-road-deal |access-date=16 Apr 2024 |work=The Star}}

Apart from the three highways and the tunnel, the PTMP encompasses several smaller road projects, including the North Coastal Paired Road, George Town Inner Ring Road and the Ayer Itam–Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway Bypass.{{Cite web |title=Penang Infra {{!}} 3 Major Roads and 3rd Link |url=https://penanginfra.com/pmrt/ |access-date=11 Jan 2025 |website=Penang Infrastructure Corporation}} The three roadways received approval from federal environmental regulators in 2017.{{Cite news |last=Christopher Tan |date=11 Oct 2019 |title=Smoother ride ahead |url=https://www.buletinmutiara.com/smoother-ride-ahead/ |access-date=16 Apr 2024 |work=Buletin Mutiara}} Construction of the Ayer Itam–Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway Bypass began in 2021 and is expected to be completed by 2025.{{Cite news |last=Opalyn Mok |date=19 Jan 2021 |title=Heavy equipment arrives to kickstart Air Itam highway under the undersea tunnel project |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2021/01/19/heavy-equipment-arrives-to-kickstart-air-itam-highway-under-the-undersea-tu/1941925 |access-date=16 Apr 2024 |work=Malay Mail}}{{Cite news |last=Trisha |first=N. |date=30 Mar 2024 |title=Bypass half way to 2025 completion |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2024/03/30/bypass-half-way-to-2025-completion |access-date=16 Apr 2024 |work=The Star}}

The PTMP includes several other public transportation components.

• A cross-strait cable car line between downtown George Town and Penang Sentral in Seberang Perai. In 2019, the alignment of the proposed line, known as the "Sky Cab", was reportedly being revised.{{Cite news |last=Md Nasir |first=Siti Sofia |date=7 Jan 2019 |title=Penang Sky Cab alignment may be revised: CM Chow |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2019/01/447825/penang-sky-cab-alignment-may-be-revised-cm-chow |access-date=11 Jan 2025 |work=New Straits Times}}{{Cite news |last=Opalyn Mok |date=22 Feb 2019 |title=Curtains for Jelutong landfill, says Penang island mayor |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2019/02/22/curtains-for-jelutong-landfill-says-penang-island-mayor/1725502 |access-date=11 Jan 2025 |work=Malay Mail}} A planned LRT interchange has since been removed from planning.{{Cite news |last=McIntyre |first=Ian |date=5 May 2024 |title=Macallum proposed as first station for Penang LRT |url=https://www.thevibes.com/index.php/articles/news/101856/macallum-proposed-as-first-station-for-penang-lrt |access-date=11 Jan 2025 |work=The Vibes}}
• A proposed {{Convert|28|km|abbr=on|adj=on}} monorail line in Seberang Perai, between Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam, comprising 21 stations.{{Cite web |date=2016-05-11 |title=Penang Monorail - Raja Uda / Bukit Mertajam Line |url=https://www.penangpropertytalk.com/2016/05/penang-monorail-raja-uda-bukit-mertajam-line/ |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=Penang Property Talk}}
• A proposed {{Convert|14|km|abbr=on|adj=on}} BRT route in Seberang Perai, between Bukit Tambun and Batu Kawan, comprising 15 stations.{{Cite web |date=2016-05-17 |title=Penang BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) - Batu Kawan Line |url=https://www.penangpropertytalk.com/2016/05/penang-brt-bus-rapid-transit-batu-kawan-line/ |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=Penang Property Talk}}

Since its inception, the PTMP has faced opposition from special interest groups. Critics argued that the original Halcrow proposal prioritised public transport infrastructure over highway development and concerns have been raised regarding the environmental impact of the Silicon Island reclamation project.{{Cite news |last=Azhar |first=Kamarul |date=27 Aug 2020 |title=Cover Story: The long & winding saga of the Penang Transport Master Plan and its political fallout |url=https://theedgemalaysia.com/article/cover-story-long-winding-saga-penang-transport-master-plan-and-its-political-fallout |access-date=29 Oct 2024 |work=The Edge}}{{Cite news |last=Opalyn Mok |date=27 Jun 2019 |title=So what exactly is the Penang Transport Master Plan and how is it being funded? |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2019/06/27/so-what-exactly-is-the-penang-transport-master-plan-and-how-is-it-being-fun/1765894 |access-date=29 Oct 2024 |work=Malay Mail}} Opponents have also suggested that a BRT system would be more cost-effective than the proposed Mutiara LRT.{{Cite news |last=Opalyn Mok |date=22 Jul 2016 |title=Penang Forum’s ‘better, cheaper, faster’ transport plan not practical, says state |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2016/07/22/penang-forums-better-cheaper-faster-transport-plan-not-practical-says-state/1166981 |access-date=30 Oct 2024 |work=Malay Mail}} Despite the LRT line receiving almost 98% public support, dissent against both the PTMP and the land reclamation persisted, with the interest groups aligning themselves with right-wing opposition Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) to pressure the state government to abandon the projects.{{Cite news |last=Nambiar |first=Predeep |date=29 Aug 2019 |title=Overwhelming public approval for Penang's LRT project, says CM |url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2019/08/29/overwhelming-public-approval-for-penangs-lrt-project-says-cm/ |access-date=29 Mar 2024 |work=Free Malaysia Today}}{{Cite news |date=27 Nov 2019 |title=97% support for the Penang LRT project: Chow |url=https://thesun.my/local_news/97-support-for-the-penang-lrt-project-chow-AG1668376 |access-date=31 Mar 2024 |work=The Sun}}{{Cite news |date=19 Jun 2020 |title=Revoke permit for Penang South Reclamation project, PAS urges minister |url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2020/06/19/revoke-permit-for-penang-south-reclamation-project-pas-urges-minister/ |access-date=30 Oct 2024 |work=Free Malaysia Today}}

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has asserted that due process was followed in obtaining approvals from the Malaysian federal government for the Mutiara LRT, including engagements with local stakeholders, and suggested the detractors to "look at the bigger picture".{{Cite news |last=Opalyn Mok |date=17 Apr 2019 |title=Details of Penang LRT project to go on public display for feedback |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2019/04/17/details-of-penang-lrt-project-to-go-on-public-display-for-feedback/1744173 |access-date=30 Oct 2024 |work=Malay Mail}}{{Cite news |last=Dermawan |first=Audrey |date=1 Apr 2024 |title=Look at the bigger picture of the Penang LRT project, Chow tells detractors |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/04/1032955/look-bigger-picture-penang-lrt-project-chow-tells-detractors |access-date=30 Oct 2024 |work=New Straits Times}} Proponents of the PTMP and transport experts countered that bus systems such as the BRT and the autonomous rail rapid transit (ART) were inadequate for Penang's congested streets, and that rail-based systems would function as a more efficient people mover, unimpeded by traffic conditions.{{Cite news |last=Joshua Woo |first=Sze Zeng |author-link=Joshua Woo Sze Zeng |date=11 Jun 2024 |title=Penang’s LRT decision, the result of comprehensive evaluation |url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2024/06/11/penangs-lrt-decision-the-result-of-comprehensive-evaluation/ |access-date=30 Oct 2024 |work=Free Malaysia Today}}{{Cite news |date=6 Jun 2024 |title=LRT the way to go for Penang |url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2024/06/06/lrt-the-way-to-go-for-penang/ |access-date=30 Oct 2024 |work=Free Malaysia Today}} Among others, the elected assemblyman for Pulau Tikus Joshua Woo Sze Zeng questioned the motives of the special interest groups and PAS in opposing the PTMP, and noted that the opponents were unable to propose viable alternative financing for public transportation schemes in the state.{{Cite news |last=Joshua Woo |first=Sze Zeng |author-link=Joshua Woo Sze Zeng |date=18 Feb 2020 |title=What is wrong with PTMP and PSI? — Joshua Woo |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/what-you-think/2020/02/18/what-is-wrong-with-ptmp-and-psi-joshua-woo/1838520 |access-date=30 Oct 2024 |work=Malay Mail}}{{Cite news |last=Joshua Woo |first=Sze Zeng |author-link=Joshua Woo Sze Zeng |date=23 Jun 2018 |title=Penang Transport Master Plan makes financial sense |url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/430949 |access-date=30 Oct 2024 |work=Malaysiakini}}

• Rapid Penang

{{reflist}}

Category:Penang Integrated Transportation Masterplan

{{Official website|https://penanginfra.com/overall-ptmp/}}