Penang Mutiara Line LRT to feature scalable low- to medium-capacity system

Penang state government and MRT Corporation are exploring a low- to medium-capacity system for the Penang Mutiara Line light rail transit (LRT) project, Bernama has reported. The transport ministry’s procurement board will determine the appropriate LRT system based on passenger projections and state needs, according to state infrastructure transport and digital committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari.

Zairil emphasized that a high-capacity system like the Kelana Jaya LRT line, which accommodates 15,000 to 30,000 passengers per hour, is unsuitable for Penang. Instead, Penang will adopt a scalable system, initially operating with two-car trains, with the option to expand to three- or four-car trains in the future as demand increases.

The LRT’s detailed design will incorporate sufficient electricity resources, ensuring each station is connected to a traction power substation (TPS) to supply power to the trains.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced in April that construction of the Penang LRT project would commence in the fourth quarter of this year. The federal government has taken over the Penang LRT Mutiara Line project, which is projected to be completed by 2030.