It was reported last month that Keretapi Tanah Melayu’s (KTM) Butterworth station is set to get a RM30 million upgrade in an effort to turn Penang Sentral (located just a few hundred metres away) into Seberang Perai‘s main transport hub. We now have more details thanks to Penang infrastructure, transport and digital committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari, as reported by Bernama.
What’s proposed are the construction and improvement of waiting areas, a multi-level lobby, escalators, a drop-off zone and other supporting facilities. The upgrade’s design and planning began in January and were completed in July. The federal government will handle the tender process and construction is expected to start early next year.
“Upgrading KTMB Butterworth will reinforce Seberang Perai’s role as a major mobility hub. Butterworth KTM Station is a key gateway for the electric train service (ETS), intercity trains and transit services.
“Its integration with the public transport network, including the planned Penang LRT, is crucial to ensure smooth journeys,” Zairil said, adding that the upgrade will focus on physical connectivity, timetable coordination, ticketing and travel information integration, and transit-oriented development, among others.
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Didn’t it just got upgraded back in 2011? Massive upgrade, with many shoplots still vacant?
i think, ktm need to be actively involved in moving peoples. not just thinking about running trains.
for example, make BM station the main north south transit station. BM station then have regular BM-butterworth shuttle train service. trying to catch those coming from the island going to BM. no need drive, just use ferry, then hop on this local train transit to reach BM station. then move on from there to join north-south line. or take public transport to BM town… that is more feasible and lively interconnect. where ktm is not just moving people in and out of butterworth station, but also moving people from butterworth to BM