TRANSIT took note of this article, which states that the government has appointed con-sultants to conduct a feasibility study on the MRT proposal from MMC-Gamuda.
TRANSIT wonders how the government could possibly announce plans for an MRT network in the Klang Valley as part of the 10th Malaysia Plan before they had even ordered a feasibility study.
This is the kind of ‘leadership’ that we have in our public transport industry!
12 weeks to conduct MRT feasibility study (StarBiz)
By SHARIDAN M. ALI
Friday July 9, 2010Consultants said to advise Govt on four main aspects including suitability and cost
PETALING JAYA: The feasibility study on the proposed RM36bil mass rapid transit (MRT) system by Gamuda Bhd and MMC Corp Bhd is expected to be presented to the Government in about three months time, said a source familiar with the matter.
It was earlier reported that the Government had appointed two independent con-sultants – Minconsult Sdn Bhd and Andercon Technologies Ltd – to carry out the study.
[TRANSIT: Cough. cough.]
The source said the consultants had been given a period of 12 weeks to revert and present their recommendations on the project to the Government.
“They are to review and advise the Government on the MRT proposal in relation to its suitability with policy objectives, strategies on public transport, socio-economic benefits as well as its feasibility and cost,” it said.
It is understood that the consultants have been hired by the Finance Ministry in consultation with the recently-formed Land Public Transport Commission or SPAD.
SPAD is supposed to coordinate, integrate and regulate all public transport systems in the country as well as come up with a masterplan.
Previous reports indicated that the MRT project might start as soon as early next year.
To recap, MMC and Gamuda in a joint venture, had submitted a proposal dubbed the Klang Valley integrated transportation system, which was presented to the Economic Council in February.
The proposed MRT network consists of two radial lines and a circle line, which has similarities with the train networks in most major cities. It is commonly known as a “wheels and spokes” concept.
[TRANSIT: Not as far as we have seen!]
In total, the MRT network will cover up to 150km of lines, with about a third of them to be built underground.
Although analysts are generally positive about the project, questions remain as to whether the Government can afford such a massive project. It is also left to be seen if the Gamuda-MMC proposed MRT project will be part of SPAD’s public transport masterplan.
Minconsult is multi-disciplinary engineering and project management company that offers a wide range of engineering consultancy services in the civil and structural, mechanical, electrical, petrochemical and environmental fields.
The company was involved in bridge maintenance and management system study for KTMB Bhd, Phase 1 of Star LRT system (now Ampang Line) and the feasibility study for the proposed Kota Damansara-Central Business District-Cheras LRT line, according to its website.
Andercon is a Canada-based company specialising in installing, configuring, and administering Oracle database infrastructures.
TRANSIT Says:
What can we say? Seems like the MMC-Gamuda people have done an interesting job of playing the Malaysian media like a fiddle (or Gambus, to use a Malaysian instrument).
It is interesting to note that the MMC-Gamuda proposal was leaked to the media a few days before the announcements of the 10th Malaysia Plan – which implied that the government had accepted the proposal and was ready to implement it.
Nothing could be further from the truth – but unfortunately, you will not hear the Malaysian government saying that.
Instead, we will get a “feasibility study” completed by some semi-questionable consultants (we’ve seen how they work) which will probably attempt to justify the MMC-Gamuda plan (though the decisions have probably already been made in the backrooms).
On the other hand, if you are interested in a real feasibility study of the proposed rail network for the Klang Valley, please visit TRANSIT’s posting on the issue, which showcases 5 different proposals for rail networks. We even have a poll where you can choose the proposal that works the best to meet the needs of the Klang Valley.
Transit Malaysia 