Mutiara Line LRT: Penang’s RM8.3 Billion Connectivity Investment

Transport Minister Anthony Loke recently oversaw the signing of a contract between assigned project developers MRT Corporation and asset owner SRS Consortium. Together, both are set to build the first segment of Penang’s Mutiara Line, the state’s first light rail transit (LRT) project.

The contract for this phase is valued at RM8.31 Billion, excluding land acquisition costs which will be funded by the federal government, with efforts to minimise costs through ongoing negotiations.

The Mutiara Line will span 29.5 KM and feature 21 stations, starting from Penang South Reclamation Island-A (PSR-A) and ending at Penang Sentral and the Tun Abdul Razak Complex (Komtar). A provisional station will also be located on PSR-A.

The line includes three interchange stations: Komtar, Macallum (connecting Penang Sentral and Komtar) and Penang Sentral, which will link with KTM Komuter, ETS, and potential future metro lines.

The project is divided into three tenders:

Tender 1: The first package, awarded to SRS Consortium, involves construction of 19 stations over 23.7 KM from PSR-A to Komtar. This segment’s total alignment length is 29.5 KM in a single direction.

Tender 2: Covering the extension from Macallum to Penang Sentral on Seberang Prai, this package includes a 6 KM alignment with a 3.2 KM sea-crossing bridge. The tender is expected to open in Q3 2025 and has attracted significant interest from both local and international bidders.

Tender 3: The Systems Turnkey Contract (STC) focuses on railway systems, encompassing design, procurement, construction, testing, commissioning, and maintenance. This tender opened on Dec 13, 2024, with submissions due by April 14, 2025. A second briefing is scheduled for Jan 14, 2025, in Kuala Lumpur.

The upcoming LRT system will feature Grade 3 Automation driverless electric trains with each train car designed to accommodate up to 405 passengers. Initial operations will see trains running at four-minute intervals to minimise waiting times.

Additionally, to enhance commuter convenience, all stations will include Park N Ride facilities with over 1,000 parking bays available for both cars and motorcycles.

Loke has reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to managing costs effectively, even with potential land acquisition expenses. He emphasised that negotiations with Penang state government will focus on ensuring nominal land charges through a fair and collaborative approach.