Penang LRT Project Set to Begin Construction
Long-Awaited Transit Line Inches Closer to Reality
After years of planning and negotiation, physical construction of the Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) in Penang is anticipated to start within the next two months, promising to reshape transportation across the island and mainland.
Obstacles Overcome
Anthony Loke Siew Fook, the Transport Minister, confirmed that all outstanding issues concerning the project have been resolved. These included securing necessary consent from the Penang state government and addressing various technical challenges.
“We have now resolved all issues related to the Penang LRT project. This includes discussions between the Transport Ministry and the state government. I have personally chaired a meeting with the Penang Chief Minister at the Transport Ministry last month,”
—Anthony Loke Siew Fook, Transport Minister
The project’s main contractor has already begun assigning preliminary tasks to subcontractors, preparing for the commencement of on-site work. The 29.5km Mutiara Line will feature 21 stations, connecting Penang Island to the mainland.
On-Demand Service Gains Traction
Alongside the LRT development, the Rapid Penang On-Demand (ROD) service continues to expand. Introduced in phases between August 2024 and May 2025, the service now operates with 50 vans across 13 zones – seven on the island and six in Seberang Perai.
Ridership on the ROD service has seen significant growth, increasing from an average of 159 passengers daily in February to 492 in March 2025 with the addition of new zones. May saw an average daily ridership exceeding 1,944 passengers, contributing 4.1% to Rapid Penang’s total daily average of 47,000 passengers. This growth mirrors a national trend; a recent study by the American Public Transportation Association found that on-demand transit services saw a 28% increase in ridership in 2024. APTA
The Gurney-Tanjong Bungah route is currently the most popular, serving 522 passengers each day.
Loke indicated that physical work on the LRT is expected to begin within the next one to two months.