Malaysia’s Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRT Corp) has committed to keeping the total cost of the Penang Mutiara LRT Line under MYR16 billion (US$3.7 billion). The Cabinet-approved budget for the line is MYR13 billion (US$3 billion), but with land acquisition and inflation factored in, total costs could rise to MYR19 billion (US$4.4 billion). MRT Corp aims to reduce this through efficient procurement and design optimisation.

The 29.5 km Mutiara Line will feature 21 stations, connecting Silicon Island to Komtar and Penang Sentral in Butterworth. It includes a 5 km bridge across the channel, Level 3 autonomous trains, and a downsized depot site at Pesta (reduced from 37 acres to 11 acres). The line is expected to be completed by 2031. MRT Corp targets financial sustainability within five years of operations through fare and advertising revenue, without relying on state subsidies. The full LRT network will include three additional lines by 2050.