Penang’s LRT plan: More unanswered questions (Part 2)

Former state transport engineer calls for clarity on multibillion-ringgit project's viability and implementation

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By Lim Thean Heng

Issue 5: The civil work for the Bayan Lepas-Komtar LRT line amounts to some RM8bn, a huge contract sum. Apparently, the work has already been awarded to SRS Consortium, and from press reports, with good profit margins too.

Question: For the sake of transparency and good governance, the Ministry of Transport (MoT) should explain at length why there was such a hurry for this award without any open tender.

Issue 6: The proposed cross-channel LRT line to only Penang Sentral could cost up to RM3bn. This cannot be financially justified. The mainland deserves an integrated public transport system for other townships in northern, central and southern Seberang Perai.

Questions: Again, what is the ridership for this single high-level cross-channel LRT line and hence its financial viability. What are the implications in terms of operations and maintenance? Show us the projections for the next 10-20 years.

If the initial objective is for better connectivity for passengers between Penang Sentral and Penang Island, the easier and much cheaper option would be to put in more new ferries and open a new ferry route to be operated by Penang Port Sdn Bhd.

Issue 7: The last time when MRCB proposed a high-level cable car system, besides the costs, there were a host of simulation studies to be conducted to ensure ships would not crash into pylons, as well as capacity building requirements for PPSB staff.

Also apparent is the lack of coordination over first-and-last mile connectivity for commuters. This accessibility and connectivity must be put at the front and centre of any design for public transport plans to promote ridership.

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Question: If already incorporated, please show it to Penangites by organising public forums to get feedback from residents from different localities.

Issue 8: The MRT Corp CEO mentioned recently the efforts to position Johor and Penang as the next economic hubs.

I recall during 2013-15, the then Prime Minister’s Department appointed transport experts from the World Bank and established local accounting firms to come up with proposed national transport plans for land, air and sea travel and for future transport needs.

In the 1980s, Plus was roped in to provide a much-needed motorway from Perlis to Johor to help spur socioeconomic development in the peninsula.

In the same way, the MoT and MRT Corp should also share with us our national integrated transport masterplan for the whole peninsula, including for Penang Island, mainland Penang and the neighbouring northern states. This will show us whether interstate transport needs have also been integrated into the PTMP.

Question: In view of the big picture above, will we receive clarification from MoT and MRT Corp to inspire more confidence that transparency and good governance will be upheld?

Lim Thean Heng is a former Penang state transport engineer.

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.
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