The near completion BGR Line from Sunway to USJ is definitely representing a cornerstone for further elopement of the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRT) in Klang Valley.
In November 2014, SPAD proposed 12 BRT lines to be constructed in a much more “costless” way compared to the Sunway line as the proposed design incorporated the existing road and highway infrastructures. There have been a few articles published last year covering the cost of LRT Line 3 – Bandar Utama to Klang and in the 2015 Budget, Prime Minister YAB Datuk Seri Mohd Najib bin Abdul Razak has confirmed the ongoing construction of the BRT KL to Klang Line. In terms of budget and efficiently spend tax-payers money, the LRT Line 3 (estimated cost of RM9.6 Billion) looses 1 to 6 against the KL – Klang Line with an estimated cost of RM1.6 Billion).
The 2013 SPAD proposal has also been “confirmed” at a recent Transportation Summit 2014 organized by ASLI in November 2014; when explaining the expansion plans for infrastructures and public transportation systems. Pemandu representative has clearly mentioned the 12 incoming BRT lines. If you want to know more about these project and get an update on the lines, get in touch with us and we will be glad to share what we know.
Project will set benchmark for other such services in the region
BY AHMAD NAQIB IDRIS
KUALA LUMPUR: The RM634 million Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)-Sunway Line project, now at 88% completion as at March 3, is on track to be completed on June 9 this year, said Prasarana Malaysia Bhd.
The project, which was initiated under a public-private partnership (PPP) programme between Prasarana and Sunway Bhd ( Financial Dashboard), is the first of its kind in Malaysia and the first elevated BRT development in Southeast Asia.
Under the PPP, Prasarana and Sunway funded 70% and 15%, respectively, of the project’s total cost. The balance 15% is covered by the Facilitation Fund.
The Facilitation Fund, managed by Putrajaya’s bumiputera economic development unit Teraju and the Public-Private Partnership Unit (UKAS), was introduced under the Economic Stimulus Package in the Ninth Malaysia Plan, aimed at facilitating the implementation of high value projects.
“We are confident that it will be completed by early June 2015,” Prasarana group managing director Azmi Abdul Aziz told pressmen during a visit to the project site yesterday.
The BRT-Sunway Line will be the first fully electric bus service in Malaysia and the first fully elevated BRT in Southeast Asia.
Azmi added that the project will be a benchmark for other BRT developments in the region, and that Prasarana is aiming to achieve the “gold standard” of the US-based Institute for Transportation and Development Policy, which sets standards for BRT developments around the world.
On the fare to be charged, Azmi said the fare structure has yet to be finalised, as it is still being discussed with the Land Public Transport Commission (Spad).
Looking ahead, Azmi said Spad has identified several other potential areas for other BRT lines.
“If you refer to Spad’s public transport master plan, there are already other lines that have been identified for BRT to be developed in the Klang Valley area,” he said.
However, he declined to comment on the investment cost of the future BRT lines.
According to news reports, the priority BRT corridors that were identified besides the BRT-Sunway Line, are Kuala Lumpur–Klang, Taman Melawati–Kuala Lumpur, Puchong–Kuala Lumpur and Ampang–Kuala Lumpur.
Meanwhile, Spad has also identified other corridors, namely Kinrara–Damansara, Ampang–Kepong, Kota Damansara–Shah Alam, Shah Alam–Putra Heights, Putra Heights– Putrajaya, Putrajaya–Kajang and Kerinchi–Alam Damai.
The BRT-Sunway Line project stretches 5.4km from the Setia Jaya KTM Komuter station to the USJ7 LRT Station, with seven stations spaced approximately 900m apart.
Source : The Edge Markets
