GEORGE TOWN: With outstan­ding issues concerning the Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) project now resolved, ­physical construction is set to begin within the next two months, says Anthony Loke.

The Transport Minister said the resolved matters included the issuance of consent letters from the state government and other technical issues that had ­previo­usly delayed the project’s implementation.

He said the project’s main ­contractor has already awarded preliminary works to sub-­contractors in preparation for on-site activities.

“I personally chaired a meeting with the Penang Chief Minister last month and resolved all issues related to the project.

“We can expect physical works to begin within one or two months,” he told reporters after inspecting the Rapid Penang On-Demand (ROD) service yes­terday.

The 29.5km Mutiara Line LRT project, which includes 21 stations, aims to improve connec­tivity between the island and the mainland, while also reducing road congestion and enhancing accessibility.

On the ROD service, Loke said it has been operating with 50 vans, covering 13 zones in Penang (seven on the island and the rest on the mainland) since its ­intro­duction in August last year.

He said the average number of daily passengers on weekdays has shown an increase since the ­addition of zones in March this year.

“An average of 492 passengers per day was recorded in March compared to 159 passengers in February.

“In May, the average daily ­ridership exceeded the target of 1,944.

“The figure has contributed 4.1% of the total daily average of 47,000 passengers using Rapid Penang services,” he said.

Loke also said the Gurney-Tanjong Bungah route is currently the most popular with 522 ­passengers daily.