The chief minister says an extensive rail network does not necessarily reduce congestion.
GEORGE TOWN: An extensive rail network will not necessarily reduce traffic congestion , chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said, citing the Klang Valley as an example.
Chow said Kuala Lumpur’s experience showed that rail projects must be supported by good links, proper planning around stations, and a change in public mindset.
“We can learn valuable lessons from Kuala Lumpur. The Klang Valley has an extensive network of MRT, LRT, commuter rail and other rail transit systems, yet traffic congestion remains a daily challenge,” he said when closing the International Rail Transit Forum 2026 here today. He said such “lessons” were important for Penang as it moves ahead with the Mutiara Line, the state’s first LRT project. The line is expected to link the island to Seberang Perai through Butterworth.
MRT Corp said it will have 20 stations and two provisional stations, and is expected to be completed by December 2031. Chow said the success of the Mutiara Line should not be premised on its completion.
“The success of the Mutiara Line will be measured by daily ridership, travel behaviour, and the extent to which public transport becomes the preferred mode of travel for Penangites,” he said. He said Penang could not keep depending on private vehicles to meet its transport needs, especially as cities continued to grow. Car ownership has become a necessity for many families in Malaysia, but traffic would worsen if more cars remained the main answer to growing transport demand.
“Public transport must become the first choice whenever conditions allow, forming part of daily movement across the city,” he said. Chow said the Mutiara Line would influence how people moved across Penang, connect communities and support development around stations. He said Penang’s “great shift” was ultimately about changing travel habits, “where public transport becomes part of everyday life alongside private vehicles”, and not just building a new rail line.
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