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 Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 6:34 pm Post subject: Malaysian Mass transport upgrades |
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Extracts from Budget speech
Improving Public Transportation
29.The Government will continue to encourage greater utilisation of public transportation, in the context of improving the productivity and quality of life. I have recently experienced for myself the condition of the public transportation system in our capital city. I believe, a more efficient, reliable and integrated public transportation, which provides seamless travel and greater frequency of services, is required.
30.RapidKL and RapidPenang were set up to improve public transportation in the Klang Valley and Pulau Pinang. Currently, RapidKL provides bus services along 166 routes, covering more than 980 housing areas. Of this, 14% are unprofitable social routes not plied by other public transport companies. This is in line with the Government’s aspiration to provide better public transportation for the benefit of Malaysians, especially those in the lower income group. On average, 400,000 passengers use bus services daily, while 350,000 use RapidKL rail services. Overall, RapidKL provides 44% of total public transport services in the Klang Valley.
31.RapidPenang provides bus services on 33 routes in 106 housing areas with ridership of 46,000 passengers daily, constituting 60% of total bus services in Pulau Pinang. To widen the service network, 200 additional buses will be provided, bringing the total to 350. With this, RapidPenang services will be extended to cover 14 new routes and ridership is estimated to increase to 120,000 passengers daily by end of 2009.
32.To further improve the efficiency of public transportation, a sum of RM35 billion will be expended during the period 2009 to 2014. This includes projects to enhance the capacity of existing rail services, build new rail tracks, increase the number of buses, as well as provide better infrastructure facilities.
33.The existing LRT system in the Klang Valley will be extended by 30 km, that is 15 km respectively, for Kelana Jaya and Ampang lines. Upon completion in 2011, the extensions are expected to benefit 2.6 million residents in the Subang Jaya-USJ and Kinrara-Puchong areas, compared with 1.9 million currently.
34.At the same time, 35 train carriages for the Kelana Jaya Line have been procured costing RM1.3 billion and these trains will be fully operational by early 2010.
35.With these measures, the capacity of the Kelana Jaya Line will more than double from the current 160,000 passengers daily to 350,000, while for the Ampang Line, it will increase from 150,000 to 280,000.
36.To further expand the urban rail service network in the Klang Valley, a new LRT line will be built along a 42 km route from Kota Damansara to Cheras. This new line, with a capacity exceeding 300,000 passengers daily, will, upon completion in 2014, provide rail services to more than one million residents in the housing, industrial and financial areas in the vicinity.
37.The Government also took over the assets and operations of KL Monorail, from a private operator in 2007. Several measures were taken to improve the operational efficiency and maintenance. Following this, the twelve trains acquired are now fully operational. Since the takeover, total ridership has increased by more than 10% from an average of 51,000 passengers daily to 57,000 currently. This takeover will contribute towards establishing a more integrated urban rail service in the Klang Valley.
38.The commuter rail services of Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) will be upgraded. Towards this end, rehabilitation works are being undertaken on the existing 20 Electric Multiple Units (EMUs) and are expected to be completed in 2009. An additional 13 new units of EMUs will be acquired and be operational by 2011. With this, the capacity of the KTM Commuter is expected to increase from the current 350,000 to 500,000 passengers daily. To expand the commuter rail services network, a 7.5 km Sentul-Batu Caves line is under construction and is expected to be completed by 2010.
39.In addition, the two major projects being implemented to improve KTMB services are the Double-tracking Electric Rail for Seremban-Gemas and Ipoh-Padang Besar, which are expected to be completed in 2012 and 2013, respectively.
40.An integrated transport terminal is being built in Bandar Tasik Selatan, to provide facilities for inter-urban taxis and buses, especially from the southern region in the Peninsular. The modern five-floor terminal can accommodate more than 130 taxis and 100 buses, complete with parking facilities and commercial lots, and will provide connectivity to the Ampang Line, ERL and KTM Commuter as well as urban taxis and buses in the Klang Valley. This terminal is expected to be operational in 2011.
41.To provide facilities for inter-urban taxis and buses from the northern region, a new integrated transport terminal will be built. This terminal will contribute towards further reducing traffic congestion in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.
42.Public transport operators play an important role in ensuring a comprehensive network of services, as well as providing more efficient, safe and high quality services, both in urban and rural areas. To reduce their operating costs, the Government has recently increased the quota for diesel subsidy for public transportation. In addition, the Government will undertake the following measures:
First:Provide a soft loan facility of RM3 billion under the Public Transportation Fund, administered by Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad (BPMB), to finance the acquisition of buses and rail assets; and
Second:Reduce toll charges by 50% for all buses, except at border entry points, namely Johor Causeway, Second Link and Bukit Kayu Hitam, for a period of two years, effective 15 September 2008. The Government will provide compensation to toll operators for their loss of revenue, estimated at RM45 million per year.
43.In addition, bus operators will be given sales tax exemption on the purchase of locally assembled new buses and Accelerated Capital Allowance on the expenditure incurred. Further, the road tax will be reduced to RM20 a year for all bus and taxi operators, including rent-a-car and limousine operators.
44.The Public Land Transportation Commission will be established under the Prime Minister’s Department, to plan, integrate, regulate and improve the overall public transportation services. This single authority is important to facilitate planning and coordination, as well as improve enforcement. The Commission is expected to commence operations by mid 2009.
Development Of Growth Corridors
89.The Government remains committed towards corridor development initiatives to ensure more regionally balanced socio-economic development of the nation. The intention is to provide more investment, employment and entrepreneurial opportunities in the various regions. Thus far, all the five economic corridors have been launched and initiatives, as outlined in the respective Development Masterplans, are beginning to be implemented. The five economic corridors are Iskandar Malaysia, NCER, East Coast Economic Region (ECER), Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) and Sabah Development Corridor (SDC). In the Midterm Review of the 9MP, an additional ceiling of RM10 billion has been allocated for the development expenditure of the corridors, of which RM6 billion is provided in the 2009 Budget.
90.To further strengthen private investment in Iskandar Malaysia, an additional allocation of RM300 million is provided under the Strategic Investment Fund. The Fund is to finance the implementation of private-public partnership projects, in the areas of public transportation, healthcare services, education and creative industries. These are priority socio-economic areas, where Government will support the project viability, but with the private sector bearing the project risks. In healthcare, for example, instead of the Government constructing and operating hospitals, the provision of such public services can be partly met through the Government procuring such services from private sector providers.
91.Iskandar Malaysia will develop an integrated public transportation system, initially focusing on enhancing bus services by working together with existing bus operators. In the area of healthcare, a centre of excellence for postgraduate teaching and research will be established in partnership with private sector hospitals. Iskandar Malaysia will also set up and operate not-for-profit schools, initially on a pilot basis. These schools will have a mixed intake of Government and privately funded students. In addition, a creative cluster will be developed in Iskandar Malaysia, with funds channelled towards enhancing the capabilities of local creative talent. |
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