The Star 23 Dec 2019: Review of MRT3 under way

23 Dec 2019

Interesting topic from The Star today.  Its quite in line with what i shared in my earlier post on railway and commercial development.(click link)

Article from The Star: Review of MRT3 under way 

PETALING JAYA: A review of the Mass Rapid Transit Line 3 (MRT3) or MRT Circle Line project, which was suspended earlier, is under way and various new funding options, including possibly getting real estate developers and owners to partially fund the project may be explored.

Experts said several models including that of Singapore and Hong Kong’s “Rail plus Property” are being studied to see how the private sector can participate to partly fund the development as the government was not in a position to fully fund MRT3’s development.Consultants have been appointed to find a suitable model and a decision on MRT3 will be made middle of next year.

The project was suspended primarily because of the cost factor. But we are prepared to review the project, ’’ Transport Minister Anthony Loke (pic) told StarBiz.He said the Finance Ministry had indicated its willingness to discuss the project with his ministry. From the Transport Ministry’s perspective, the MRT3 was important as it will complete the rail network connectivity in the Klang Valley. However, he said the country’s fiscal position will have to be taken into consideration before embarking on the project.

“The review is on the premise that the cost has to be lowered. How it will be lowered is a subject of discussion.

“It will be a new mechanism and a new model of development if ever we proceed with the project to make it cost effective and higher in terms of return on investment, ’’ Loke said without elaborating.

He added that “we hope we can reach a decision by mid-2020, that is six months down the road”.

The 40km MRT3 is the last portion of the MRT lines in the Klang Valley.

It will be a loop largely in the city centre passing through several prominent buildings and shopping areas and, according to the earlier plan, it was to cover areas such as Kerinchi, Jalan Duta, Setiawangsa, Salak Selatan, Pandan Indah and Bandar Malaysia.

Of the 26 stations, 19 are underground and the cost of underground stations are way higher than at ground level. About 60% of the project involves tunnelling works.

Experts believe that for MRT3 to take off there needs to be a public-private partnership where real estate owners and property developers need to work together with the government to develop the train link.

“The study done by the consultants will draft the alignment for certain stations and it will be vastly different from the existing model.

“Often the connections are afterthoughts, but this time around it is during the planning that the locations will be integrated by asking the developers to contribute the construction.

“This is a framework that the new review may be based on and it will identify tangible benefits, and it can be for existing and new property developments, ’’ said a source.

The circle line will pass through several prominent buildings and property developments and having a link will boost property values and boost traffic for shopping malls.

“It is not just alignment but land value capture and we can learn from the Singapore and Hong Kong models. They have set the benchmark, ’’ the source said.

He added that contributions from developers have not been explored in the past, but to help fund the project, that may be the way forward and this can be for existing or new developments.

The developers will have to help partially fund the connection and as seen from the past, the existing MRT has become strong selling points for existing and new property developments along its route.

The government has forked out billions of ringgit to develop the 10 rail lines, including the airport link and BRT servicing the Klang Valley.

A tender for the MRT3 was called at the end of 2017 by Mass Rapid Transit Corp Sdn Bhd to select a turnkey contractor to build and finance, on a turnkey basis, the MRT3. But the outcome was never revealed.

Hong Kong’s entire rail system operates on a self-sustaining basis as it operates on the “Rail plus Property’’ where the government grants the land to the MRT company which then works with property owners to partly fund the development which has resulted in a profitable venture besides helping to keep the fares cheap

MAGLEV SHANGHAI - PUDONG RAILWAY SYSTEM

MAGLEV SHANGHAI - PUDONG RAILWAY SYSTEM

1. Description of the Shanghai Maglev System

• Shanghai -Pudong Maglev train system is the fastest passenger maglev train system in the world with a maximum speed of 431 km/h and a route length of 30.5 km which is the distance between two Longyang Road stations, Pudong - Pudong International Airport, Shanghai.

• Service The Maglev train system takes 7 minutes 20 seconds to travel along a route of 30.5 km with an average speed of 250 km/h.

2. Description of Shanghai Maglev Car Stock

• Train model: Transrapid SMT type German TR 08.

• Supplier: Transrapid International (Siemens-ThyssenKrupp JV)

• Number of carriages / trains: 3

• Maximum Speed: 505 km/h

• Trend size:

 Length: 153.6 m

 Width: 3.7 m

 Height: 4.2 m

• Total cargo capacity = 574 passengers (all seated)

 End section (ES) 1st class: 56

 Middle section (MS) 2nd class: 110

 End section (ES) 2nd class: 78

3. Operation Description of MaglevShanghai – Pudong Railway System

• The operation of the Maglev Railway System is handled by the railway operator Shanghai Maglev Transportation Development Co., Ltd.

• Daily operating service period from 6:45 am to 9:30 pm.

• Service frequency 15–20 minutes.

• Ticket fare:

 One way ticket = RMB 50 (RM 25),

or RMB 40 (RM 20) for passengers in transit by airplane

 Two way ticket RMB 80 (RM 40).

 VIP ticket twice the regular fare.

• Daily passenger coverage was recorded in excess of 20,000 passengers per day according to records in 2008.

4. Shanghai - Pudong Maglev Railway System Construction Project

• Construction of the system commenced in March 2001 and completed in Dec 2003. (Started operations on 1 Jan 2004)

• Project cost = RMB10 billion (US $ 1.33bn)

• Construction period = 2.5 years

• Maglev technology comes from Transrapid, Germany.

• In March 2010, the Shanghai Local Government approved the 199.5 km Maglev Railway Extension project from LongYang Road Station to Hangzhou which will pass through Hong Qiao International Airport Station and Shanghai South Railway Station for transportation integration facilities. rel.

• Shanghai Maglev Transportation Development Co., Ltd was established in August 2000 with a registered capital cost of ¥ 3 bills as a result of the cooperation of 7 shareholders namely Shanghai Shentong Holdings Co.Ltd, Shenergy (Group) Co.Ltd, Shanghai International Group Co.Ltd, Shanghai Baosteel Group Co.Ltd, Shanghai Automotive Industry (Group) Co.Ltd, Shanghai Electric (Group) Co.Ltd, and Shanghai Pudong Development (Group) Co.Ltd.

5. Maglev Technology Theory

• The system moves in a floating manner using the theory of magnetic field physics. The design of the track structure and the train carriage in the same magnetic polarity produces levitation and guided force so that the train carriage always floats and is on the route.

• The thrust force of this maglev train results from the magnetic waves generated on the track components reacting with the flow of electric current on the train carriage. This thrust force can be controlled by controlling the frequency of the electric current and the magnetic wave strength of the system.

6. Advantages of Maglev Technology

• The maglev train system is the most technologically advanced, competitive and environmentally friendly train system.

• The operation of a maglev train does not produce loud noise because the movement of the train floating does not rub against the track structure.

7. Lack of Maglev Technology

• The maglev train system is a very fast train system and requires the features of a straighter track structure, a wider bend radius and a constant speed.

• The construction characteristics of this track structure involve a very high construction cost reaching RM 163.9 million/ km compared to the construction cost of the KTMB System only at RM35.7 million/ km for the Seremban-Gemas Electric Double Track Project.

• The implementation of the System construction project is more complicated due to the more stringent railway route selection features which will result in more social impact during the land acquisition process.

• During the implementation of the Maglev project in Shanghai, the public also prevented the Maglev Railway System from being built in populated areas on the grounds that the system uses magnetic waves which can adversely affect the health of the surrounding population.

KTM Tg Pagar station will move to Woodlands in S'pore July 1, 2011

Published: Monday May 24, 2010 MYT 3:02:00 PM
Updated: Monday May 24, 2010 MYT 5:44:49 PM

KTM Tg Pagar station will move to Woodlands in S'pore July 1, 2011 (Update)


SINGAPORE: Malaysia agreed on Monday to move the Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) station at Tanjong Pagar here to the Woodlands Train Checkpoint (WTCP) by July 1, 2011.

Malaysia will also co-locate its railway customs, immigration and quarantine (CIQ) facilities at the WTCP.

These were some of the major decisions reached by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his Singapore counterpart Lee Hsien Loong during the leaders' retreat at the Shangri-La Hotel here.

When they met, both leaders were looking at the matters arising from the Points of Agreement (PoA) on Malayan railway lands in Singapore which had long become the obstacles to their countries' good bilateral ties.

Najib and Lee agreed to move the issues forward and both countries decided to jointly develop the KTMB lands around Singapore to maximise its full potential. At their joint press conference after the retreat Monday, both leaders agreed that a Malaysia-Singapore joint company, known as M-S Pte Ltd, be established before Dec 31 this year to develop the lands vacated by KTMB.

The company will be set up by Malaysia's Khazanah Nasional Berhad and Singapore government's investment arm, Temasek Holdings Limited, with each holding 60% and 40% equity respectively.

KTMB lands in Tanjong Pagar, Kranji and Woodlands and three additional pieces of land in Bukit Timah, with a total area of 271 hectares, will be vested in the company for joint development.

The developed KTMB lands could in turn be swapped, on the basis of equivalent value for pieces of land in Marina South and Ophir Rochor here.

The leaders said both countries would conduct their respective valuations and Lee would visit Kuala Lumpur within a month with a proposal for the land swap for Malaysia's consideration.

They agreed that the transfer of the land parcels to M-S Pte Ltd would take effect when KTMB vacated the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station.

According to a joint statement on the meeting, a rapid transit system link between Tanjung Puteri in Johor Baharu and Singapore, aimed at enhancing connectivity between the two countries, will be jointly developed.

The rapid transit system link will be integrated with public transport services in Johor Baharu and Singapore.

For the convenience of commuters, the rapid transit system link will have a single co-located CIQ facility in Singapore with the exact location to be determined later.

It is targeted that the proposed rapid transit system link will be operational by 2018, and thereafter, Malaysia may consider relocating the KTMB Station from Woodlands to Johor.

Both leaders also agreed to task a joint implementation team, to be led by the Secretary-General of Malaysia's Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Permanent Secretary of Singapore's Foreign Affairs Ministry, to further discuss the implementation details.

The team will discuss, among other things, the establishment and the framework governing M-S Pte Ltd, the rapid transit system connectivity between Johor Baharu and Singapore, and the co-located CIQ in the Woodlands train checkpoint.

The joint implementation team will complete its work by end of this year (Dec 31).

The outcome reached by the joint implementation team on the matters discussed should be reflected in a written instrument to be signed by both countries upon approval from their respective governments.

Najib and Lee also agreed that the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station passenger terminal building be conserved, given its historical significance, and will be a centerpiece for the new proposed development on the site.

In addition, the old Bukit Timah Railway Station building at Blackmore Drive can also be conserved. - Bernama

Source : The Star

Kuala Sepetang - Port Weld

94ha released to Perak
Source: the star 28 Jan 2010

PUTRAJAYA: Railway land from Taiping to Kuala Sepetang – where the country’s first railway tracks were – has been released to the Perak Government to allow it be converted for residential use.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said the 94.5ha of railway land, where 643 squatter families are residing, would be released to the state government for RM38mil.

The land belonged to the Railway Asset Corporation, a body under the Transport Ministry.

The act of issuing individual land titles and charging premiums on the squatters would fall under the jurisdiction of the state.

By alienating the land, Ong said the Barisan Nasional government had fulfilled its promises made to Taiping residents during the Bukit Gantang by-election in April last year.

“The decision was made in view that the land had not been used for railway operations since 1941, and there are 643 squatter families on that site.

“There were also 131 units of empty buildings and 12 places of worship,” he said.

Ong said by releasing the land, the state could help alleviate its housing problems as well as develop and preserve a historical site.

Kuala Sepetang, once known as Port Weld, was a thriving import-export centre which opened in 1877. The railroad was opened in 1885.

“The land is strictly for railway use. We have to alienate the land first to the state government. Then only can the state government do the needful to help the squatter families living on the land,” he said.

He added that the release of the railway reserve is in line with Item 3, Article 85 of the Federal Constitution.

“We have walked the talk. People have been yearning for this for a few decades. During my walkabout there, I was told the issue proper was older than me and we were determined to get it resolved,” said Ong.

On the protracted time frame taken to release the land, Ong said they had to conduct a census of families residing on the land before attempting a land swap with the state government.

“The land had to be at least of equivalent value. When we could not proceed with the land swap, we resorted to this formula, that is the state government is prepared to pay Railway Asset Corporation,” he said.

On whether the residents would receive individual land titles, Ong said: “That I will leave it to the state government. It is in their jurisdiction.”


Zambry: Squatter families on railway land will get titles
Source: the star 29 January 2010

IPOH: Squatter families in Kuala Sepetang, Taiping, will be given individual titles when the necessary processes are completed including de-gazetting the land from railway to residential use, Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said.

“The state has no qualms about giving the people the titles,” he said yesterday, adding that the Perak Economic Planning Unit (EPU) would look into the issue of de-gazetting.

Speaking to reporters after opening a new hall for residents of the Ashby Flats at Jalan Hospital here, Dr Zambry said the next step is to plot out the number of houses there and to look into the area’s infrastructure needs.

Asked how soon the people would get their titles, Dr Zambry said it would depend on how long the process of acquiring the land takes.

“It will definitely take some time but the important thing is they need not worry about the land where their houses are located anymore,” he said.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat had announced on Wednesday that the railway land – where the country’s first railway tracks were built – had been released to the Perak Government.

Ong was reported to have said that the 94.5ha land, where 643 squatter families are residing, would be released to the state government for RM38mil.

The land belonged to the Railway Asset Corporation, a body under the Transport Ministry.
Kuala Sepetang, once known as Port Weld, was a thriving import-export centre. The railroad was opened in 1885.

MALAYSIA RAILWAY DEVELOPEMENT HISTORY

1885 – 1991 : Inheritage from British to Malayan Railway Administration, part of federal government owned and operate for intercity and freight services.

1992~ : First corporatised rail operator (KTMB) for existing services (Intercity and freight) Department of Railway was established as national Railways Regulator Body

After 1993 : Goverment approved construction of new railways system

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Year Start Operation-System- Operator

1995 KTM Commuter (Heavy Rail for Passenger) KTMB

1998 LRT1 (Star) KL Urban transit RapidKL

1998 Track Transit System for KLIA MAB

1999 LRT2 (Putra) Urban transit RapidKL

1999 Sunway Monorail (Area transit) Bandar Sunway

2002 ERL Hi-Speed Rail KL-KLIA ERLSB

2003 Monorail KL (Urban transit) KL STAR RAIL

2003 Kuantan Kerteh Railway MILSB

KL Transit Map 2009-2010

KL Transit Map 2010



KL Transit Map 2009

Quoted from Business Times Article dated 4 Dec 2000 on status of KTMB privatization

BUSINESS TIMES
Associated Press
Eirmalasare Bani
December 04, 2000

FAILURE to produce a financially-viable proposal is one of the reasons why the effort to privatize national railway service provider KTM Bhd (KTMB) has been halted, according to an industry observer.

He said the only profitable division of KTMB at present is its freight services, while KTM Komuter and long distance passenger services have been losing a considerable amount of money with little hope of ever breaking even.

''The only way for the Government to make those viable is to agree what subsidy it is willing to pay rail commuters and long distance passengers. At the moment it is unwilling to do that.
''Ploughing more money into infrastructure does not help KTMB's financial performance,'' he told by Business Times in Kuala Lumpur.

The industry observer, who has been involved in various transportation projects in Malaysia said, ``With so few passengers, the extra maintenance costs surpass the possible additional extra revenue''.

Freight train services contributed 30 per cent to KTMB's turnover in 1998. This contributions are expected to increase to between 40 per cent and 45 per cent this year.

KTMB suffered RM133 million in losses in 1997 but managed to narrow it down to RM78 million in 1998.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ling Liong Sik, when asked to clarify over KTMB's privatization status on Wednesday, said the Government may have to ``rethink'' the whole process to determine whether it is a viable proposition.

His statement makes it seem as though the Government is having second thoughts to proceed with KTMB's privatization, which has been assigned to Marak Unggul Sdn Bhd, a consortium which consists of Renong (50 per cent equity), DRB-Hicom Group (25 per cent), Bolton Properties Bhd (20 per cent) and Jasa Meta Sdn Bhd (5 per cent)

''Marak Unggul was set up to take over (privatise) KTMB. To date, it is not financially viable and so Renong won't take it,'' the industry observer said.

The consortium's original intent was also said to involve advancing a maximum of RM100 million towards the privatization capital. It took over the management of KTMB in August 1997, but the latter remains as a wholly-owned Government company until the privatization effort materialised.

KTMB was corporatised in 1992 and was given five years to work on going private. The privatization effort was also to pave way for the company to be listed on the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange.

It was also put on hold during the economic crisis, pending a review and study, among others, by the Corporate Debt Restructuring Committee. - sources : Business Times 4 Dec 2000