Rethink MRT3, Learn from Glaring Mistakes of Past Projects

While I fully support public transport initiatives, I strongly believe that continued government spending on overpriced mega-projects is unjustified.

Malaysia’s progress as a nation cannot, and should not, be measured solely by the quality of public transport in its capital region.

A more balanced and equitable approach that prioritises regional development at reasonable costs is vital for fostering sustainable national growth.

The MRT3 project in the Klang Valley, with a staggering price tag exceeding RM50 billion, demands thorough reexamination.

Key reasons for the failures of MRT1 and MRT2 can be summarised into the following four broad categories:

Poor Alignment Choices

A significant portion of the alignments for MRT1 and MRT2 run alongside expressways or major roads, making them far from optimal.

Examples include:

• MRT1, which parallels the Sprint Highway, Jalan Damansara, and Kajang main toll roads.
• MRT2, which runs along major expressways and major roads such as Jalan Sungai Buloh, Damansara-Ulu Kelang Expressway, and KL-Seremban highway.

All these alignments fail to penetrate deeper into residential areas, particularly those inhabited by B40 and M40 groups — the key target audience for public transport.

Poor Station Locations

Many stations are built above expressways or major roads, making them difficult for passengers to access.

With intersections and busy roads on both sides of the station, coupled with a lack of park-and-ride facilities, passengers find it challenging to use these stations.

Examples of poorly planned stations include:

• TTDI, Phileo Damansara, Pusat Bandar Damansara, and Semantan.
• Taman Naga Emas, Sungai Besi, Serdang Raya Utara, and Serdang Raya Selatan.
• Glenmarie, Tropicana, and Bandar Utama.

Neglected Catchment Areas

Key areas with high potential ridership have been overlooked, while stations are placed in areas with minimal demand or in undeveloped regions.

Some examples:

• MRT1 bypasses Universiti Malaya, Universiti Hospital, and UKM Bangi.
• MRT2 fails to serve densely-populated areas such as Sentul, Danau Kota, and Keramat in the north, as well as deeper residential areas of Sungai Besi (UPNM) and UPM, which means ridership remains low.

Lack of Integration

Integration between MRT, LRT, KTM, and Monorail lines remains insufficient. Stations that are physically close often lack proper connectivity, forcing passengers to endure inconvenient transfers.

Examples:

• Many MRT stations near LRT or KTM stations are not linked, such as Titiwangsa, Sungai Besi, and Chan Sow Lin.
• LRT3 also bypasses key opportunities to connect with KTM and LRT1 and LRT2 stations, such as Subang Jaya, Subang Airport, Glenmarie, and Lembah Subang.

Moving Forward

Rushing into MRT3 without addressing the issues faced by its predecessors will likely lead to similar inefficiencies and failures.

Delaying the project provides an opportunity to:

• Reevaluate objectives: Ensure the project aligns with Klang Valley transport goals and delivers tangible benefits to the public. The mistakes of MRT1, MRT2, and LRT3 must not be repeated.
• Improve procurement processes: Adopt transparent, efficient practices to minimize waste and ensure accountability. Planners of MRT3 must cast a wider net to include experts from different fields to assist in its implementation.
• No competing expressways: Conduct thorough feasibility studies and ensure that no new expressways are built to destabilize public transport networks. New expressways encourage more car usage and will negate public transport attractiveness.

Conclusion

A more balanced and equitable approach that prioritizes regional development at reasonable costs is vital for fostering sustainable national growth.

By learning from the mistakes of the past, we can create a more effective and efficient public transport system that benefits all Malaysians.

FAQs

Q: What are the main reasons for the failures of MRT1 and MRT2?

A: The main reasons include poor alignment choices, poor station locations, neglected catchment areas, and lack of integration.

Q: What is the estimated cost of the MRT3 project?

A: The estimated cost of the MRT3 project is over RM50 billion.

Q: Why is it important to delay the MRT3 project?

A: Delaying the project provides an opportunity to reevaluate objectives, improve procurement processes, and avoid similar inefficiencies and failures experienced by its predecessors.

Q: What can be done to improve public transport in the Klang Valley?

A: By learning from the mistakes of the past, we can create a more effective and efficient public transport system that benefits all Malaysians.