Penangites may soon have the option to travel across their state by air while enjoying panoramic views of its urban and natural picturesque attributes, provided the state government agrees to a new transport proposal from an American company.

In on-going efforts to improve the public transport system and reduce traffic congestion in the state, the Pakatan Rakyat government is seriously looking into developing an elevated urban mass transit system or aerobus. The proposal was tabled by Aerobus International Incorporated (AII), a company from Houston, Texas.

The state government has allowed the Houston-based company to carry out a feasibility study on the project and submit a comprehensive report on the matter.

"We will look into the report and decide on whether to accept or reject it," chief minister Lim Guan Eng told a press conference in his Komtar office today. Lim added that his administration welcomed public feedback on the proposal.

penang world heritage town 140708 01 "If implemented, the project will not encroach into the heritage zones in Georgetown. The state government is keen to hear public views and opinions on the project," said Lim, who has adopted an open approach to all proposals to improve the state's public transport system and ease traffic congestion.

AII will bear the cost of the feasibility study, and if implemented, all infrastructure and operational costs, freeing the state government from any financial burden.

Returns for the state's multi-million ringgit investment would be derived from a long-term affordable fare structure and corporate marketing strategies.

AII is studying routes that will potentially connect Georgetown to all other major towns on the island and mainland via the Penang Bridge, and is initially looking into introducing 12 fully air-conditioned aerobus coaches, each with a 40-passenger capacity.

If fully operational, the 12 coaches could ferry 20,000 passengers per hour. Each aerobus could travel at a speed between 70 and 100km per hour.

Viable proposition for land-scarce Penang

Among the routes being studied are Paya Terubong - George Town, Bayan Lepas - Tanjung Tokong, Teluk Bahang - Balik Pulau, Tanjung Bungah - Batu Feringghi, Sungai Dua on the island - mainland's Seberang Jaya via the Penang Bridge and Butterworth - Permatang Pauh.

penang monorail 250608 AII was among six companies that bid to build and operate the nearly RM2 billion monorail project in Penang during the previous Barisan Nasional state administration.

However, the project was scrapped , together with the RM1.02 billion Penang Outer Ring Road (PORR) project, after BN was booted out by the new DAP-led Pakatan coalition government in the March general election.

AII representative in Malaysia, Aripin Mokhtar is optimistic that the state government will agree to the project because it is compatible, disable-friendly, environmentally friendly, fast, efficient, cost-effective, reliable and affordable.

Moreover, the project would not require land usage since it was an airborne transit mode running on an elevated rail system, a viable proposition for land-scarce Penang.

"Penang's land corridor is tight. An airborne transport service would be viable, feasible and able to reduce congestion," said Aripin.