A grateful letter to Yoga Adiwinarto of ITDP
Dear Yoga,
I have read your suggestions on how to improve public mobility in Penang. There is much to agree with you as your suggestions cohere with much of what is already happening here.
For example, your advice that Penang “should start by investing in pedestrian facilities as well as cycling infrastructure,” reflects what the local councils and state government have already been doing for years.
Back in 2014, the state government has launched a RM30 million bicycle lane project. Two years ago, through partnership with private sector, the bicycle-sharing services LinkBike was started, with 250 bicycles achieving up to 3,500 ridership per month.
The state government has recently initiated RM40 million Ecodeck project that will build lanes that measure 3.5m in width, with 2m and 1.5m designated for bicycles and pedestrians respectively. The current 180 km of cycling lane in Penang will be further expanded to 200 km.
In terms of pedestrian walkway, it is estimated that there is 80% pedestrian infrastructure in the city centre. In 2017, the local council allocated RM2.5 million for 14 walkway improvement projects, with another RM2.4 million for a collaboration with Think City to build pedestrian-friendly public space.
Besides those projects, the local government is working on two business improvement district schemes (BIDS) to expand walkability in the surrounding areas of KOMTAR and the nearby “seven-street district.” In addition to these, a 50 km coastal park and 65 km of cycling lane are in the pipeline.
There is of course still much to be done in the city, not least in the suburbs. The point is that the local authorities are already working on them. Your suggestions show that the governments are right on track.
With regards to the “BRT vs LRT” debate, you have rightly noted that “the development of LRT, tram and BRT should go hand in hand and well integrated with the improvement of the Rapid Penang bus system.”
I wholeheartedly agree with you on this. I and others have highlighted this matter many times for many months, through official and informal channels. The state government also shares this multidimensional approach.
A local group that needs to hear this from you is ‘Penang Forum’. The group has been lobbying against this integrated plan by opposing the LRT plan for a BRT and tram only public transport on the island. I believe you are acquainted with them, and should share your thoughts with them if you haven’t.
As for the Penang Transport Master Plan, the state government would require BRT-experts like your good self to advise on the BRT plan on the mainland. Till then, wish you the best in your BRT business in Jakarta and this region.
Best regards,
Joshua Woo
I have read your suggestions on how to improve public mobility in Penang. There is much to agree with you as your suggestions cohere with much of what is already happening here.
For example, your advice that Penang “should start by investing in pedestrian facilities as well as cycling infrastructure,” reflects what the local councils and state government have already been doing for years.
Back in 2014, the state government has launched a RM30 million bicycle lane project. Two years ago, through partnership with private sector, the bicycle-sharing services LinkBike was started, with 250 bicycles achieving up to 3,500 ridership per month.
The state government has recently initiated RM40 million Ecodeck project that will build lanes that measure 3.5m in width, with 2m and 1.5m designated for bicycles and pedestrians respectively. The current 180 km of cycling lane in Penang will be further expanded to 200 km.
In terms of pedestrian walkway, it is estimated that there is 80% pedestrian infrastructure in the city centre. In 2017, the local council allocated RM2.5 million for 14 walkway improvement projects, with another RM2.4 million for a collaboration with Think City to build pedestrian-friendly public space.
Besides those projects, the local government is working on two business improvement district schemes (BIDS) to expand walkability in the surrounding areas of KOMTAR and the nearby “seven-street district.” In addition to these, a 50 km coastal park and 65 km of cycling lane are in the pipeline.
There is of course still much to be done in the city, not least in the suburbs. The point is that the local authorities are already working on them. Your suggestions show that the governments are right on track.
With regards to the “BRT vs LRT” debate, you have rightly noted that “the development of LRT, tram and BRT should go hand in hand and well integrated with the improvement of the Rapid Penang bus system.”
I wholeheartedly agree with you on this. I and others have highlighted this matter many times for many months, through official and informal channels. The state government also shares this multidimensional approach.
A local group that needs to hear this from you is ‘Penang Forum’. The group has been lobbying against this integrated plan by opposing the LRT plan for a BRT and tram only public transport on the island. I believe you are acquainted with them, and should share your thoughts with them if you haven’t.
As for the Penang Transport Master Plan, the state government would require BRT-experts like your good self to advise on the BRT plan on the mainland. Till then, wish you the best in your BRT business in Jakarta and this region.
Best regards,
Joshua Woo
