Penang NGO’s alternative transport plan costs just a third of state govt’s

GEORGE TOWN (July 14): A civil society group has called for the introduction of trams and bus rapid transits (BRTs) in Penang, saying this would cost only a third of the amount that the state government intends to spend on building light rail transits (LRTs) and monorails as part of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP).

Presenting its alternative PTMP at a press conference yesterday, Penang Forum said building the trams and BRTs would also take less time.

It said the tram system would cost RM1.6 billion for a single route between Komtar and Bayan Lepas, compared with the LRT construction cost of RM4.4 billion for the same route. And the annual operating and maintenance cost of the tram would be RM67 million, compared with RM170 million for the LRT.

“Our calculations show that the construction cost of the George Town-Penang International Airport route would be RM80 million per kilometre for a tram system, compared to RM220 million for the LRT. The total construction cost would then be RM1.6 billion for the tram and RM4.4 billion for the LRT,” said Penang Forum spokesman Lim Mah Hui.

“The carrying capacity of the tram (passengers per hour per direction) would be between 7,000 and 20,000 riders, while the LRT would carry 18,500 persons. Accordingly, the tram would see a projected surplus of RM20.5 million and the LRT would face a deficit of RM82.5 million if the ridership is at 25 million per year,” said Lim.

He said the cheaper construction cost could save the state from having to reclaim land to fund the project, and source for bank loans or other financial methods to build the system.

Lim said his group had engaged consultants and researchers to carry out a study on the alternative PTMP that would do away with building of the LRT, monorail and Pan Island Link highways, the total cost of which has allegedly ballooned to RM46 billion.

Phase one of the project is estimated to cost RM17 billion, with phase two costing RM23 billion. Another RM6.3 billion will go towards an infrastructure project featuring three highways and an undersea tunnel.

Penang Forum, comprising a group of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), in a counterproposal to the 2011 PTMP report produced by Halcrow Consultants Sdn Bhd, has come out with a 50-page report on its alternative transport system based on the idea of being “better, cheaper and faster”.

It proposes a single, integrated modern tram that allows vehicles to travel on the road, and a comprehensive BRT system for the mainland, with tram expansion to link both the island and mainland in future.

Penang Forum also launched its website that has begun an online petition for Penangites to support its findings and urge the state to consider its option.

The state government last year appointed SRS Consortium as the project delivery partner for the master plan. The consortium is made up of Gamuda Bhd (with a 60% stake), Penang-based Ideal Property Development Sdn Bhd (20%) and Loh Phoy Yen Holdings Sdn Bhd (20%).

Meanwhile, Gamuda Engineering Sdn Bhd executive director Szeto Wai Loong said Penang Forum’s alternative PTMP is not feasible and would cost as much as elevated LRTs due to ground piling for tramlines and relocation of people.

“The option is not constructable because trams are on the street and roads cannot be closed for trams to move as it would take up two lanes on the road. The foundation of the roads must be strong so the trams do not derail.

“Penang Island has old roads which are not feasible for trams, and it is a safety hazard because they move fast on [the] surface level. There are a lot of utility pipes running underneath,” he told The Edge Financial Daily.

Szeto, who is also SRS Consortium’s project manager, said the alternative PTMP “looks good on paper” but does not take into consideration the feasibility study costs.

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This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on July 14, 2016. Subscribe to The Edge Financial Daily here.