GEORGE TOWN: Transport planners have been busy during the pandemic plotting new ideas for Penang’s much-needed mass public transport system.

       Danielle Tan said she prefers to drive because it gives her the freedom to travel.

       “I don’t have to wait for public transport as sometimes the bus and trains can really make me wait and that really irks me.

       “Public transport also does not stop in many suburbs and in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, it would definitely be safer to drive,” the 26-year-old graphic designer said.

       For Natalie Yong, she finds that travelling in a car provides her convenience due to the nature of her job as a sales executive.

       “I travel a lot to meet clients and due to meetings at clients’ place, I usually have shoes for the occasion stored in my car so that I can change into them whenever I have to. With a car, it is convenient as I can just slip them on and off whenever I need to,” the 30-year-old said.

       Farid Mohd, who works in the education sector, said even though there is a train station near his office, taking the train to work is not convenient for him as the distance from his house to the nearest station is too far.

       “I have four siblings and we each have our own car to move around.

       “I think to get my siblings to drop me off at the train station is a hassle as I have to think about the mode of transportation returning home,” he added.

       He noted that taking the bus is not an option as the punctuality of buses leaves much to be desired.

       As such, the 34-year-old said travelling in a car allows him a fixed time to travel to and from work even when there is a traffic jam.

       Ranjit Kaur said she would rather drive than take public transport if the location that she needs to get to is not accessible by public transport.

       “If I were to take the public transport, it could take me two hours to reach a place, when driving would only take me half an hour. So I think it really depends on the location as well,” the 29-year-old content writer said.

       But if she has a choice, she will use the train as she lives next to an LRT station.

       “I can easily travel to the city by train. I don’t have to worry about parking charges and traffic jams.”