Putrajaya Corp Will Not Proceed With Proposed ART System

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 9 (Bernama) -- Putrajaya Corporation (PPj) will not proceed with the proposed trackless tram or Automated Rail Transit (ART) system in Putrajaya, as the costs of implementation are deemed too high, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Lo Su Fui said preliminary studies found that the estimated cost of implementing ART, including infrastructure development, systems, operations and maintenance, would reach RM211.95 million over a 10-year period.

“This cost is beyond the financial capacity of PPj as the local authority. On this basis, PPj will not proceed with the ART implementation in Putrajaya, and there are no plans to expand the line in the next phase,” he said when replying to a question from Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa (PH-Sekijang).

However, he said PPj remains open to considering public transport planning needs in the future, subject to financial capacity and allocation approvals, particularly to achieve the target of 70 per cent public transport usage.

On the alternative financing models, including public-private partnerships to cover the implementation costs, Lo said all decisions are made based on comprehensive evaluations of costs, benefits, risks and current fiscal capacity.

He added that, in efforts to reduce traffic congestion in Putrajaya, PPj has implemented improvements, including the operation of NadiPutra buses on seven daily routes, as well as water taxis.

-- BERNAMA