Trams could complement no-car zone

Trams could complement no-car zone

By Anil Netto,

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Tram engineer Ric Francis has responded to a newspaper report about a proposal for a no-car zone in George Town.

Inner city George Town tram route proposed by Ric Francis

I read with interest your article on Heritage Area car free, I have pushed this subject with Government Officials included with my Tramway in Heritage Area, I know things take time to happen in Penang, but this idea would work with my suggestion on a Tramway
Ric Francis
Tramway Engineer
Vice-President
Perth Electric Tramway
Perth, Western Australia

Trams in Berlin - Image credit: berlinculture.co.uk

Meanwhile, one political economist has said there is no reason why trams cannot be eventually extended all over Penang. He noted that trams are used extensively and effectively over long stretches in cities such as Amsterdam and Berlin.

Where to find the money for this? Well, if we can afford submarines and fighter planes, then surely we can afford an improved public transport system.

Madrid: Image by ITDP-Europe via Flickr

It is about time Malaysians are weaned off their car dependency – a move which would greatly relieve our cities of their stressful congestion.

Trams for Penang ?

This blog supports Trams for Penang

Bus Rapid Transit Plan
Best for congested places

2010/01/30

THE tram-like Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line could work in Penang -- but with modifications, Bus User Group (BUG) coordinator Ong Boon Keong said. Ong believed modifications were necessary as the state did not have many wide roads with big lanes.

"The salient point is to decongest the roads. My suggestion is to use this system for the most congested stretches in Penang."

Ong proposed that the line runs from Datuk Keramat to Air Itam, Jelutong, and from Greenlane to Tanjung Bungah and Jalan Burmah.

Another modification would be to implement the line in stages, not at one go.

"The relevant authorities can start with the stretch from Komtar to the state mosque. This will lower resistance by road users and at the same time maximise the opportunity to educate them on the system, thus winning their support for it."
Ong said BUG had made a representation on the BRT line to state Local Government and Traffic Management committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow more than a year ago.

"Chow initially agreed to it but was quiet about it later. I hope the state and Federal governments can work together to implement it."