A RM2 billion comprehensive transportation hub project called Penang Sentral, undertaken by Malaysian Resources Corp Bhd (MRCB) and Pelaburan Hartanah Bumiputra Bhd, will commence on construction immediately with the building of a temporary transport terminal in Butterworth.

To be modeled similarly to Kuala Lumpur Sentral, the project will comprise an integrated terminal for rail, road and sea travel and is one of the several projects aimed at strengthening Penang’s role as a logistic hub for the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER).

The transportation hub will be located on a 12.8ha site at the existing Butterworth train, bus and ferry terminal and will also incorporate KTM’s rail services, road transport facilities and the ferry services operated by Penang Port.

MRCB group managing director Shahril Ridza Ridzuan said that the building of the temporary transport terminal was to ensure that bus services are not disrupted when construction on the transport and logistics hub commences next January.

He added that it will take between 30 to 36 months to complete Penang Sentral.

The hub will also include commercial, retail and residential developments, with the nature of the last component to be developed based on market demand, said Shahril.

Other projects in the region include the upgrading of the Penang port and airport, construction of the Second Penang Bridge, a monorail system and the Penang Outer Ring Road.