CONGRATULATIONS to the MRT exco, chaired by Sidek Hassan , on delivering the public transport project on schedule and within budget.

Members of the exco include the Attorney-General’s Chambers, auditor-general, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, Land Public Transport Agency and Prasarana. 

In achieving the success, there was good governance, responsiveness and commitment to serving the needs of the people.

Yes, we can replicate the same model for all projects.

On the other hand, transport expert Rosli Azad Khan has pointed out several important and fundamental factors to be considered when planning large-scale infrastructure projects.

The MRT has failed to achieve its goal to serve as a major mode of public transport.

Almost six years after operations, the twin objectives of increasing public transport usage and reducing the acute traffic congestion have yet to be achieved. Passenger targets are not met and roads leading into the city and the suburbs are seeing worsening congestion. 

Most of the time, the trains are less than 50% occupied.

MRT1 serves the wrong areas. Affluent households in Mutiara Damansara, Taman Tun Dr Ismail and Damansara Heights (with two stations) have little to no need for public transport.

The Damansara Heights traffic diversion scheme is an example of the conflict between public transport and car usage. The massive, elevated road system, built below the MRT station, impedes access to the station.

Even the main characteristics of an MRT service – movement of a large number of passengers at high speed and high frequency – are lacking.

The “first and last-mile” issues have yet to be resolved. Feeder buses are running empty, the fundamental measures to attract passengers are not in place and running costs are expensive.

The accumulated losses for MRT Corp was RM57.5 billion as of December 31, 2022  

There are plans for a 51km MRT3 line to be built at an estimated cost of RM50.2 billion.

The expensive and painful lessons of the existing lines must not be repeated.

More importantly, experts must be engaged to plan the project without interference from  politicians and bureaucrats. The MRT project is one of the economic entry-points in the Economic Transformation Programme. 

Only then can we enjoy the fruits of our labour.

If you fail to plan properly, you are planning to fail.

What say you… – June 12, 2023.

* Saleh Mohammed reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.