Using Public Transport Is The Best Way To Ease Penang Traffic - State Exco

Traffic congestion has long been a long-standing issue in Penang. George Town, the capital of Penang, has been identified as the Malaysian city with the worst traffic congestion in 2024, according to the latest TomTom Traffic Index. Statistics show that it took an average of 27 minutes to travel 10 kilometers, placing George Town at 73rd in the world for traffic congestion.

Penang state executive councillor Zairil Khir Johari stated that the high rate of private vehicle ownership in Penang, with 95% of households owning at least one and some owning up to three, is contributing to the state's increasing traffic congestion. Zairil suggests that residents utilize Rapid Penang stage buses and ride-sharing services as the best current solution to mitigate this issue.



"Penang definitely wants to encourage Penangites to use public transport and that’s why we have invested a lot in the last few years. Although public transport is under the federal side, the state has spent a lot of funds to subsidise charter bus routes (such as the CAT George Town, CAT Bridge, CAT Bridge BM) and also subsidising the Mutiara monthly pass," he says.
To make matters worse, the existing road infrastructure in Penang is aged and unable to handle the rising number of vehicles. Many roads are operating beyond their maximum capacity, as the current system struggles to keep up with modern traffic demands. This has resulted in daily traffic congestion and bottlenecks for commuters, Zairil added.
Penang has been actively encouraging the use of public transportation to alleviate traffic congestion and improve mobility. This is being achieved through initiatives such as the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP), the Penang Mutiara LRT project, free bus services, and increased parking fees.