Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Wong Yuee Harng (in grey), Rajendran (in white) and JT Express branding manager Tham Teck Lim (in red) pose for a photo after the inauguration ceremony. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star
MBPP welcomes CSR effort to beautify stopovers, add tourism appeal
Penang Island City Council (MBPP) is making big strides in its beautification efforts by upgrading 600 bus stops on the island with enhanced features, including roofs and improved lighting.
Mayor Datuk A. Rajendran said it has always been the city council’s intention to enhance and upgrade bus stops in the city to attract tourists to Penang.
“These efforts include equipping bus stops with proper lighting, alongside existing facilities such as CCTV camera systems, street lamps and other safety measures, and ensure the bus stops are well lit and to improve overall public safety,” he said after the unveiling ceremony of a J&T Express three-dimensional (3D) artwork and mural on a bus stop at the Pengkalan Weld bus terminal.
Rajendran said the 600 bus stops across the island had been equipped with roofs and were in the process of being fitted with lights.
He said the initiative not only prioritised public safety but also aimed at transforming the bus stops into attractive features for tourists visiting the island.
He lauded J&T Express’ efforts to beautify the city with exciting murals and landmarks.
Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Wong Yuee Harng said Penang was known as the first state in Malaysia to have colourful, patterned bus stops and now, 3D-designed bus stops.
He said the innovative initiative had drawn interest from other states, with many visitors coming to Penang to learn how to upgrade their own bus stops.
“During the Christmas holidays, we received numerous photos showing visitors not only exploring existing murals on walls and streets, but also stopping at these unique bus stops to take pictures,” he said.
He added that these bus stops had become a new attraction, offering fresh photo opportunities for local and foreign tourists.
He said 3D murals were popular in Penang and hoped the new bus stop installation would attract more visitors.
The initiative, he added, also aligned with MBPP’s efforts to enhance, illuminate and upgrade bus stops to ensure greater comfort and convenience for the public.
He called on private entities to emulate J&T Express’ effort by cooperating with the city council and other parties to beautify the state.
J&T Express branding manager Tham Teck Lim said the installation of 3D murals at the Pengkalan Weld bus terminal was part of its effort to better serve customers and help MBPP beautify the city.
Apart from this, he said there were two more similar bus stops at Lebuh Light and Pulau Tikus carrying the 3D mural design.
The company spent about RM150,000 under its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme to decorate the three bus stops with 3D artwork and vibrant murals.
“This initiative also aligns with our global environmental, social and governance (ESG) programme, aiming to promote sustainable practices and encourage the public to use public transportation as part of a collective effort to reduce carbon emissions,” he said.
Tham said with Penang already renowned for its unique culture and abundance of murals throughout the city, the addition of 3D artwork at bus stops would enhance its reputation as a vibrant and artistic destination.
