Penang Transport Council

I am from Hong Kong , my name is Mr Lau. I come to stay at the new hotel near Queensbay Shopping Centre and I want to complain about the illegal car parking along the stretch of road in front of Queensbay Shooping center.

This way of parking is very dangerous to passing by cars and also create traffic jams. This is also a very disgrace to penang . I bring my good friends from Hong Kong and I have no face because they complain about the cars parking in no parking area in front of queensbay shopping centre. This situation will never happen in hong kong because we have very strict rules and enforcement for popular shopping areas.

Queensway bay is a favorite place for my family to go shopping when we come to penang but the traffic jam caused by the illegal car parking , I am not happy with this situation .

Your organization must enforce the no parking rule effectively and prevent future illegal parking by motorists.


Thank you


LAU SIU WAH

1) manage traffic flow
reduce traffic interweaving (eg exit prangin mall cutting across into carnarvon st, exiting glugor underpass cutting across to jln udini)

2) manage traffic infrastructure
reduce illegal parking. put up intermitent central dividers to prevent vehicles from parking or waiting along busy stretches. Turning two way flows into one way streets = bad idea; it gives more room to illegal parking and enroachment.
3113 bottleneck after merging of penang bridge down ramp and 3113 (2 + 2 lanes into 2 lanes, then opening up again to 3 lanes just at the sempadan JKR)


3) consistent traffic management
jln mesjid negeri (2 lane arterial) cuts across schools, residential areas, and has 80kph speed limit
3113 (3-4 lanes coastal highway) is a controlled access highway, and has 70khp speed limit (why?)


4) redeployment of traffic police
traffic flow should be managed with properly programed 'green wave' timing, and traffic police re-assigned to nab errant and inconsiderate motorists (Q jumpers, yellow box obstruction)


end note: in many instances, recalcitrant drivers are inured and unfazed by 'kempens'. Rather than having enforcement (which is ineffective unless 24x7) penang needs more traffic management 'hardware', ie installed physical traffic control barriers, eg lane dividers to curb illegal u-turn, illegal kerbside parking. lane control (traffic merging)

Improve public transport service....

Build systematic MRT & LRT, it will surely cut congestion.

Setting up a minimum speed limit might help. It works pretty well in United States.

In my view, the most effective way to improve and reduce traffic volume on Penang (both mainland and island) is to have a very effective integrated public transportation network.
Currently, it is hard to mobilize from one suburb to another due to lack of "reliable" public transport. If so, the waiting period is long and not feasible for people to rely on for daily journey to or from work.
Furthermore, bus stops are old and dirty.

I suggest, we have a light rail network established on the island. The stations must be located at places where traffic volumes are highly concentrated. These stations should be linked to bus or taxi stands.

In addition, a special lane should be establish for bicycles to promote greener environment. Take Holland and Brisbane(AUS) for examples. A special lane has been established on pathway to be shared with joggers.

Cities like Taipei and Singapore have successful implementation for integrated transportation. Please refer to these examples.

I think another crucial factor is fare. If state govt can maintain a feasible fare, i am sure people will start switching to public transportation given the rise in petrol cost.
State govt can setup a company to raise fund from public to finance the projects.

I would to have a green LRT less polution to the nature, or maybe to have rental electical bicycle, the world need or help to avoid much and much polution

more interchange station for the various truck for Rapid Bus, for example get people to switch easily from route 2 to route 3, besides, should placing more bus at BAYAN LEPAS industrial area that connects to Penang island, in addition, please wider the Rapid bus network coverage to the hosing estates in Butterworth, Bukit Mertajam n Nibong Tebal, more bus should be located to the commuters between Penang Island and Penang mainland, bus like 70 nad 705 should be add more

To improve traffic in short term,
1. Ensure smooth traffic by emphasize and encouraging driving at the designated speed, this is common practise in many developed countries.
2. Improve the efficiency of the traffic light, perferably using the sensor (inductive loop) rather than fix timer. Because if one of junction has no car coming, it shall automatically turn red and yield for other junction, otherwise just like what happen to the cross-junction at Free Industry Zone III near kampung jawa last 2 days...

For long terms, can't explain in detail here, but it mainly consists of following factors:
Road, Traffic Control, Speed, Attitude, Vehicle, Driving Institute, Police

1. Tow way the car that park on the restricted area during day time, especially double yellow line.

2. The traffic authorities must pay attention on the traffic light that the timing is unfair, and also the malfunction traffic light.

3. Display more signboards along the street to educate the drivers for the rules of road safety with explaination e.g.:
i) if drive slow please use the left/slow lane and give way
ii) always display signal if make turning and overtaking
iii) always make sure it is safe before make turning/overtaking
iv) do not park the car on the yellow line

The number 3 is very important because many of the drivers have forgot the rules of road safety after the exam.

My japanese boss is complaining about the inconveninece transport in Penang. My suggestion is as below:
1) All bus stand having time table and map of the bus route. Bus info should be included. For nonuse bus stand, just leave it. Without bus info, people will missunderstnad the bus stand is in use or not.There is also some bus stand that do not have any bus pass by in a millions year.
2) Bus route should cover all residential area, not choosing profitable route, for non profitable route, it may be longer duration for bus service. But timetable can tell anyone when the bus is coming.
3) Some bus service in bukit Mertajam Summit is waiting the customer to be full and not follow time table, this make everyone frustrated in bus service.
4) Built rapid train like MRT system in Butterworth, can consider the current train route from BM to Butterworth. Train station can be include Megamall, Nagasari industrial, Inderawasih, Bagan dalam,Bukit Tengah, Sungai Rambai, jusco, BM town center, Taman Bukit, Alma and so on. We really appreciate. In San Diego, this same route with normnal train is called Trolley service.
5) My mum complaint she took 2/3 hours from BM to Penang island? why? The bus is waiting the customer for almost 1 hour until nearly full passenger then start to drive. People loss hope on public transport is no exact timetable.
6) 3rd bridge from Butterwoth to georgetown, the sea channel is the most narrowest here, construction should be easy and cheap. No need to care ferry service because ferry service is only for tourism purpose, you may reduce the ferry service to 1 hour one trip if the third bridge is build.
7) Turism catalog is full of public transport timetable and map route of public transport.
MRT /LRT system in Penang island is a must.

the traffic congestion is happened when ppl are rushing to work or come back from work. Therefore, Government may work closely with private sector to re-structure the working time table…if gov is capable to divide the group into two or three… probably 8AM to 5PM, 8:30AM to 5;30PM and 9:00AM to 6PM. Then, ppl will not rushing out/In at the same time, and this will definitely helps to divide the traffic flow equally on each time.

The immediate solution is to take stern action against illegal parking at road sides and impose higher fine (must be from Polis only)

Effectiveness of public transport utilization. Bus have to be on time per schedule plan, reasonable price, world class service.
Pg folks may need longer time then expected to change their own transport dependency to current public transport system which is not convincing for the majority.

In George town core area , between major buildings/parks/complexes, certain back lanes and/or crowded areas, KOMTAR as a cntrric point, then make full use of walkways / escalators (make use of Hong Kong's experience in this field) to provide a very convenience , safe, comfortable , cooling and dust free "Roads" on road to move peoples.Walkways /escalators could be automatic and /or solar operated to GO GREEN and cut cost and reduce CO2 and methane gases.

For Pennang Hill, the state government should also consider my proposals using "SKYLATOR" ie escalators constructed into various sections going up Penang Hill (like Genting Highland, and Ocean Park in Hong Kong); secondly, at the middle/ half station ,that "ROLLER COASTER" be constructed to attract youngsters and new tourists.

1) All conventional traffic light system change to smart traffic light system.
Meanings: The traffice light timing design such a way to suit the traffic flow in morning and at night. Most of the times it happen that monrning timing traffic from residential area to industrial area/commerical area is heavy but during evening timing is vice versa. For example, there is always traffic jam in Bukit Tengah,Bukit Minyak and Alma. In morning, the traffic light is so stupid that although no car coming from industrial area to housing area, the red light timing is remain same. At night, this phenomenon happen again.
2) It depends . Traffic system can consider to shut down in certain area from 9pm onwards. This sometimes will succesfully ease the traffic congestion. For example, some traffic light turning to school purpose should be shut down at night due to totally no use.
3) At least overbridge should built in every cross intersection between the MAIN road and train track. Heavy traffic normally is occur in such area. For example, the worst is between Taman Sri Rambai and Bandar Perda, OCBC Bank and Jln Padang lalang, Alma, Permatang Tinggi, Berapit, Simpang Empat. This can avoid unnecessary accident as well.
4) Before any MRT/LRT/Rapid train/aerobus is implemented,bus service is the only short term plan need to improved drastically, at least bus number (route infomation) and bus timetable should be introduced in every bus stop and bus station. Only need to put timetable and route board for this purpose, we can follow what Singapore is practising now. Please send some members to Singapore to study this purpose. Of course, after implementing, the bus should follow timatable strictly as well.
5) Enforce law for non parking area at commerical or traffica heavy area, there is still some ungeneral resident parking illegally in certain non parking area and cause traffic jam. You may follow Singapore style.
6) Built continuous overbridge in Greenlane area connecting Recsam to Convent greean lane and built tunnel connecting CGL to PFS. Overbridge should be built at Union school and Race course intersection. I see no significant improvement in this area for so many years.
7) But infact, the best way is to reduce number of vehicle in Penang. This cannot achieve because public transport in Penang is lousy, everyoone need to use his/her own transport to go to their destination. You just need to compare the public tranport in Singapore, they no need any vehicle but only MRT can bring them to final destination. So conveninece in Singapore. Not every Singaporean really need their own vehicle. So the best way is to improve our public transport first.
Send a team of member to Singapore to study.

I think your focus on short term solutions won't solve traffic problems in Penang. Look at what were done previously. Single way traffic, a tiny little bridge near Lah Wah Yee hospital ..etc do not help but make things worse.

PTC should focus on getting its long term plan right. First stage of long term plan will be the short term plan you are looking for! I suggest you start looking for funding to sponsor any plan you want to implement.
By the way, time is running out. The longer you delay, the harder it will be for you to tackle.

Walk the talk!

Penang Urban Transport needs

The Channel Link
It is undeniable the need for a 3rd Link between Penang Island and the Mainland. The 1st link, ie the Ferry Service has served Penang well since 1920. As the transportation mode started to change, from mainly pedestrian & mass public transport (ie buses, trams, trains) to private motorized vehicles (sedans & motorcycles), there is an increasing need to cater to this growing trend in personal transportation between the mainland and the island. Hence, when the Penang bridge was opened in 1985, there was a huge jump of users and ferry rider-ship took a nose dive.

Drivers like to feel that they are in control, and a moving vehicle gives the impression of expediency, never mind if the whole journey actually took longer than if they had used the ferry.

Reality is, a 2nd bridge will not solve Penang Island’s transportation woes. It’s a parochial knee jerk reaction: bridge congested, build another. The issue is catering to mass transit and nothing short of a wholistic approach will make any dent into the burgeoning problem of congestion.
Empirical data has shown the bridge traffic to be extremely volatile and susceptible to congestion. Logically, its not unexpected. If one lane out of two is rendered unusable (eg accident, vehicle breakdown, maintenance), then flow volume is likely to be reduced by as much as 800%! Imagine two lanes running @ 80 kph reduced to single lane @ 20kph because traffic will slow down to merge and drivers to rubber-neck.


Return of The Ferry
An alternative would be to fully develop and exploit Penang’s unique untap potential, littoral transportation option. Most of Penang’s commercial and high density residential area lies on the Eastern and Northern coast. It would make sense to fully exploit and upgrade the ferry services by building two additional terminals at Batu Kawan and Batu Maung. Ferry services can depart from either Butterworth or Batu Kawan and berth at Georgetown or Batu Maung. The traffic direction and volume MAY BE ADJUSTED to suit the situational needs. This arrangement has 4 distinct advantages over the bridge:
1)Not prone to congestion due to lane closure
2)May be managed to suit situational needs (direction and frequency)
3)Fully scalable, ie more ferries may be purchased as needed and to take advantage of new maritime technology
4) More efficient and reduces environmental impact (fuel usage by individual private vehicles, bridge super-structure)

This Ferry service may be further completed by passenger only speedboats to provide
1)Littoral transport to service high density areas, eg Tanjung Bungah, batu Uban and Bayan Bay / Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone
2)Batu Kawan new township
3)Inland boat service upto Komtar by fully developing the existing canal upto to Prangin Mall.
4)Complementary service to boost development of Pulau Jerejak and the adjacent Queensbay area. In fact, there are already existing canals within this area that can be utilized for light passenger traffic.

Intra-city Transport: One Track Mind
Feeder service into and beyond these ‘beach-heads’ will best be served by mini-buses. Monorails require megalithic structures that may look impressive but they require expensive construction outlays and contentious land requisitions that will eclipse and cut an unwieldy swath across much of the heritage buildings and structures of inner city Georgetown. Once the track alignments are set, it is extremely costly to re-route to meet shifting population demographics. Generally, rails (ie from the light rail, through commuter rail, to heavy rail) are better suited to haul higher ridership volumes between a few selective stations amongst high density areas like business & commercial districts and high density high rise apartment areas rather than neighbourhood friendly stops, otherwise the service will get increasingly sluggish as the short actual travel times pale against the huge cumulative station dwell times.
For rails to succeed economically it has to run through high density areas and requires feeder bus services to ferry passengers from housing areas to the rail stations.

It would be far more cost effective to redevelop the mini bus service which is better suited to densely built townships like Penang. Consider the following advantages of minibuses over the Monorail for inner city travel for the following reasons:
1)Mini-buses may be implemented in the blink of an eye and at a fraction of the cost compared to the Monorail. The traffic and general environment could well become intolerable during the construction of the rail system.
2)Greater Penetration. Mini-buses can provide valuable service deep into housing estates that may be inaccessible to rails.
3)Greater Flexibility and highly robust. Frequency can be tailored and capacity re-routed to meet diurnal and hourly directional demands. Bus breakdowns can be easily replaced and has relatively insignificant impact compared to rails.
4)Easier accessibility for physically challenged. It is much easier to embark onto a bus than to access the boarding platform of rail stations. Also, bus stops may be placed at closer intervals (150-300m) compared to rails (400m-1500m)
5)Fully scalable to meet demands and take advantage of emerging technologies. Buses and fleet mix may be configured for different needs and adopt latest propulsion technologies as these continue to evolve.
6)Better utilization of existing resources. Many existing bus stops and bus routes may be upgraded and complemented with better amenities that also is synergistic with bicycle use and walking whereas rails are exclusive and takes up valuable inner city space permanently.
7)Promotes revitalization of inner city Georgetown! Day trippers and tourists will have more opportunities to take pictures, enjoy the many heritage sites, and more inclined to step off to explore from street level buses than elevated rail platforms.

Granted, mini-buses have not engendered an endearing appeal to most people but truth be told it is not a fault of the transport mode but rather failure in administrating and regulating it.

As an added bonus, a well planned integrated inner-city transportation system will certainly augment our endeavour to put Penang on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

The Unifying factor:
The central theme in addressing the traffic congestion is to reduce car user-ship (versus car owner-ship). This will require two essential elements, alternative transport and ample parking.

Minibuses and ferries make viable and efficient complementary modes of transport which is better suited to Penang’s build-up and lay of the land.

Reasonably priced and ample parking can be made available adjacent ferry and minibus terminals. A touch and go system may be used to pay for parking as well as ferry or mini bus fares, and may be incentivized by giving discounted parking rates to promote use of public transportation. This will be politically more palatable in managing congestion than Restricted Zone Entry (CBD) charges or car ownership surcharges (eg Singapore’s COE) which has negative connotations as ‘punishment’ or means of filling the government’s coffers.

Why punish drivers for choosing alternative means of transport when public transport as an option is stillborn?

Conclusion
There is much to gain by re-looking into the revitalization of existing utilities and amenities rather than engaging in the construction of mega projects as a means to our transportation needs or institute levies and surcharges upon drivers of private vehicles. There are the low hanging fruits that can be reaped for relatively low outlays. The crux is to manage and make the best of what we already have instead of building more or rely on elevated rail to rise above the congestion, or inflict crushing fees to compel people to use poorly run or underdeveloped public transportation. Inner city traffic snarl is due to poor traffic and pavement management. The low traffic through flow (capacity) is due to pavement encroachment by traders, illegal parking and obstruction, not for lack of Tar McAdam.

some suggestions on reviving the iconic trishaw...

This would be a good opportunity to make use of (available) technology to sustain culture and environment instead of obsoleteing it, ie positive environmental projects to boost sustainability within Penang.

a proposal on electric trishaws

>There are many supportive reason's

1) Recently Penang & Melaka gained entry into UNESCO listing as heritage sites. There is an urgent need to provide adequate alternative modes of transport (especially SUSTAINABLE) within city centres.

2) Electric trishaws would be zero emission (run off rechargeable batteries)
Note: local MPPP can designate subsidized recharge or battery swap stations at designated 'jin-rik-sha' stations for registered trishaws

3) It will greatly extend the range and capability of the trishaw, ie less demanding on the trishaw peddler, so they can go further and on longer trips.

4) Improve the livelihood of trishaw peddlers. will overhaul it's image as a viable and attractive mode of transport and possibly attract more operators.

5) Trishaw is an excellent way to view Penang & Melaka heritage sites, ie enable tourists a leisurely and unobstructed view (as opposed to taxi, or monorail). Can access narrow lanes too.

6) Safety; less likelihood of tourists becoming victims of snatch theft or traffic related incidents as pedestrians. The speed of the trishaw can be curbed with pre-set max speed limit and improved braking system.

7) These trishaws can complement the free shuttle service.

Retains and possibility of reviving a cultural icon that is in
danger of disappearing off, ie the unique Penang 2 abreast trishaw.

9) Since Penang is touted to be the Silicon Valley, we have many Electrical & Electronic factories here, we can suggest a competition within FREPENCA for engineers to submit designs on electric trishaw. We can look for sponsorship too.

10) There are many tested technological advances to the push / peddle pedicab mode of transport that can be easily adopted to the local trishaw.

11) It will be a community project by the community for the community with corporate sponsorship. It will benefit the local community and can be extended to other towns, eg Melaka, Ipoh, etc

This has happened many times and today I decided to lodge an official complaint. Today I left the house at 8.10am, normally I'd reach Bayan Lepas at 8.40am at most but the jam started from Sg Nibong flyover and it lasted for 15 minutes bumper to bumper. At that time, I suspected the traffic cop must be there again. True enough, at the traffic light, he was there at Jalan Tengah directing traffic, thus causing the jam! I have observed this over many times, every time there was a jam, it's because there was a traffic cop there!

Please appreciate your support to just let the traffic run by itself using traffic lights and there will be no such issue. Thank you!

I think you should lower the price of bus fees and do more promotion to encourage public use rapid bus.
Then only the complain above can be solve easily.

I stuck in traffic jam daily passing by many pedestrian along the way. I observed Penang city council need to seriouslyconsider building pedestrian flyover at many traffic congestion area, such as: in-front Bukit Jambu Shopping Complex cross over to Bus stop at the opposite site, along bulatan Bayan Baru to FTZ where many traffic light built for pedestrian.

The biggest reason is, most of the traffic jam was caused by the traffic stop frequency for cars whenever traffic light turn red once every single button press by pedestrian. If pedestrian flyover built along the way & remove all the pedestrian traffic light, we will definitely reduce the traffic congestion along the road.

Last month, I took a Rapid bus from my Balik Pulau Bus Station after parking my car nearby, to Komtar via Air Itam route. The bus was nice to travel in but I find that the bus side windows need to be partly tinted so it is not too glaring especially during hot days from 10.30am to 5.30pm.

I hope that the Govt. build more multi-storey car parks near the bus stations and give 50% discount for those who park their cars at the designated car parks and took buses to their designation and back to the bus station for that day. I calculated that I paid RM3.40 (for one person trip) for No. 502 bus to Komtar and paid RM4.00 from Komtar to B. Lepas to Balik Pulau Bus Station. So, I spend RM7.40 for a day trip to Komtar. If I travel to Komtar by my Kancil car, I need to spend about RM7-8.00 on petrol and another RM3.00 for parking. So, it is cheaper to travel by bus if I am not in a hurry and alone.

Further, I agreed with "Short Term Plan" views.

The congestion in penang causes by the consumer are using the road at the same time and when it happen everybody blame blame the police or what ever hell. So the government its just part to prepare the facilities to improving the competency of traffic among consumers. So the private sector also must concern about the traffic problem so as result manage the time out as properly and comparing the sector following their sector and level of road consuming.