So they are still talking about a new "Second Link" from Penang Island to the mainland. Works Minister Samy Vellu was reported as saying that the government is planning to build a bridge cum tunnel from Bagan Jermal on the island to Bagan Ajam, Butterworth, on the mainland (The Star, 4 October 1999). He said that it is hoped that the heavy traffic on the Penang Bridge would be eased with the building of the Second Link.

In the first place, someone should make it clear that a new bridge-tunnel would be the Third Link and not the Second. Somewhere along the grand scheme of things, the existing ferry service – the First Link - seems to have been forgotten although Aliran has urged the authorities several times in the past to improve the service.

One reason the Penang Bridge – the real Second Link - is so congested is that the ferry service is operating at half the capacity it once was. In the 1980s, double-decker vehicular ferries used to ply across the channel. But these ferries were converted to vehicular-passenger ferries after the old terminal on the mainland collapsed about 10 years ago, drastically reducing the capacity of the service. The terminal was never rebuilt and the total number of ferries in service was halved. Is it any wonder then that the Penang Bridge got congested so fast?

Why the great enthusiasm for a new bridge-tunnel when the ferry service is not running at full capacity? Can’t the number of ferries be increased with larger, more modern ferries being introduced? Can’t new ferry terminals be built? If there is a real need for a Bagan Jermal to Bagan Ajam link, can’t a new ferry service be introduced to ply this route?

Which privileged firm is going to land the contract to build the new bridge-tunnel? How much will the tolls cost when it is ready? Have we not learnt any lessons from our obsession with economically unjustified multibillion ringgit maha-projects, which by their nature allow more opportunities for corrupt practices?

Aliran suspects that the new link is being planned in anticipation of a bid to revive the much-criticised Northern Region International Airport, which was shelved with the onset of the economic crisis, and to downgrade the Penang International Airport. After all, the multibillion ringgit land reclamation project in Kedah, of which the NRIA was a key component, has already been revived.

Rather than wasting money on a bridge-tunnel, the government should focus on implementing an integrated public transport system with more ferries, a comprehensive low-cost bus network (along the lines of that in Curituba in Brazil) including free shuttle buses in the city, a low-stress cycling network, street-level electric trams and light rail trains, and a pedestrian-friendly inner city (the Campbell Street pedestrian mall is a good start). Such an integrated transport network would be more sustainable and environmentally friendly and much less of a financial burden on the public than a bridge-tunnel.

Anil Netto
Executive Committee
9 October 1999

Also see links and articles:
12 Aug 1999 - For Whom the Bridge Tolls?
4 Jun 1998 - Third Penang Link: No Financial Feasibility Study?
23 May 1998 - Stop Third Link: Improve Ferry Service Instead
9 May 1998 - What about Improving the Ferry Service?
5 May 1998 - Third Penang Link: Another Mega Project?