Gerakan has thrown its support behind Penang Forum’s alternative transport master plan (TMP), saying it would support any “cheaper and effective” proposal to solve the state's worsening traffic congestion problems.

“However, we are against projects being carried out in secrecy without transparency and accountability,” Penang Gerakan Bayan Baru division chairman Teh Leong Meng said at a press conference in George Town today.

Penang Forum launched its alternative plan dubbed 'Better, Cheaper, Faster Tranport Master Plan' on July 13, and urged Penangites to sign a petition to support the plan.

In a report on its website, Penang Forum claimed the state government's choice of transport, the LRT, is “outdated and expensive”, and its operating and maintenance cost is high compared to modern trams.

Teh urged the state government not to waste taxpayers’ money as he did not wish to see a repeat of the Penang undersea tunnel "scandal".

"After RM139 million was paid (in the form of land), the Penang government said it wants to build a third bridge in lieu of the tunnel," Teh said.

He also urged the Penang government to disclose all material information, including financial projections, and all technical analyses on the TMP's choice of transport for public scrutiny and comment.

"Walk the talk on CAT (competency, accountability and transparency)," he told the state government.

Teh was referring to the RM27 billion price tag for the TMP, which was awarded to SRS Consortium as the project delivery partner in August last year.

Teh claimed that that the plan was “shrouded in mystery as no detailed calculations were disclosed and there was no explanation on why certain modes of transport like LRT was adopted”.

Teh also questioned why the projected cost of the TMP has increased “so drastically” over a two-year period.

He added that the projected cost has been revised to about RM46 billion, an increase of RM19 billion (about 70 percent) after two years.

“The Penang government announced that the project would take 50 years to complete. In 50 years' time, how much would it cost?” Teh asked.

“Would it cost RM250 billion in 50 years, assuming RM9.50 billion increase over two years, or would it cost RM500 billion in 50 years?” asked the former local councillor.