The government under 9MP has agreed to go ahead with a delayed project, the monorail service in Penang. However, the government should take into consideration that the best solution for inner public transport in Penang is the tram system.

This would be very practical as shown in various European cities with very congested, narrow streets in the town centre, like Zurich where the street are not unlike Georgetown. Penang traffic is so bad that new roads should bypass Georgetown and Gurney Drive which should in turn be served by an efficient tram system, with high frequency.

It is a small enough area that would allow trams to work well, with almost blanket coverage at high usage and hence reasonable cost. It will also enhance the town's bid for World Heritage status, increase tourism and reduce all the negatives associated with excessive traffic.

Modern trams are stylish, smooth, fast, cheap (but not the laying of the tracks), disabled friendly, do not require many overhead wires and can have high capacity/distance. I think trams could save Georgetown and revive its fortunes. At the moment, the place is a mess.

I think a tram line should start from Gurney Plaza, along Gurney Drive, to Northam Road into Georgetown to Fort Cornwallis, through Komtar then looping around back to Gurney Plaza in the same direction especially through the busiest streets like Burmah Road.

A tram system could completely replace the horrible taxis over short distances and remove traffic entirely except for service vehicles (good taxis and buses) buses which would only be necessary for travelling outside the tram network. Multi-storey parking lots can be built on the edge of the tram networks so that people can access the town centre.

Without traffic, elevated tram stops (essentially light rail) can be built at the ground level as part of upgraded footpaths (like near the Khoo Kongsi and Little India) and pedestrians would never have to deal with sewerage, dirt, traffic etc again. This is safer and cleaner.

I think this should be a serious proposal for Penang to look at, since they are struggling with a dropping visitor numbers. Something drastic must be done now to turn its fortunes around and save what's left of its heritage which is a big selling point.

Trams are now being revived throughout other parts of the world, especially in Europe and they have been proven incredibly effective.