The SRS PTMP projects are not financially prudent and will burden state finances for years to come. The two Phase 1 projects are examined here:
a) The proposed Pan-Island Link 1 will be a 6-lane highway over the hills, 19.5 km long.
. Estimated to cost RM8 billion, with no provision for maintenance costs, it might be one of the most expensive highway ever built in Malaysia, at RM410.25 million per km.
. the PIL1 will incur incalculable social and environmental costs. The highway, its interchanges and feeder roads will affect or “seriously affect” at least 9 schools, 10 houses of worship 2 of Penang’s most popular public recreational parks (the Penang City Park/Youth Park and Sungai Ara Linear Park), and many homes and private premises.
b) The proposed KOMTAR–Bayan Lepas LRT is 22 km long with 19 stations.
• Estimated costs were revised from RM6bn to RM7bn to RM8.4bn in one year.
• The construction costs of LRT per km is 3 times that of modern tram, and 4 that
times of BRT per kilometre.
• The annual Operating & Maintenance (O&M) costs of LRT is between 3 to 6 times
that of tram.
• Assuming ridership of 8 million per year at RM4.00 per trip, the LRT will burden the
state government with a RM138 million deficit per year, compared to a projected
surplus of RM10 million for tram
• Assuming a ridership of 5 million, the annual LRT deficit will rise to RM150 million, compared with RM 2 million for tram.
• With an annual total state budget of about RM1 billion, or an annual state revenue
of just RM687 million in 2017, can the state government afford to sustain an annual
deficit of RM138 million on one line?
Why has the state not done a comparative financial analysis of alternative approaches?
Why are cheaper alternatives not considered?
Note: Modern Tram - run at up to 100 km/h (62 mph) . Low floor . Keep city beautiful without ugly poles . No overhead wires . Can go underpass & even underground . Can even be track-less by using sensors...wow!
Please don't allow our Pearl Of The Orient to turn into a messy concrete forest!
Save Penang by signing our petition> https://bit.ly/2mCHb7Q
Better Cheaper Faster
Trams are significantly safer & cheaper
photo: How a modern tram may look on the Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway
- artist impression