Proposed – trams to alleviate traffic woes

> Service to connect Putrajaya, Cyberjaya, Kajang and Bangi, says SPAD chief

PETALING JAYA: The Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) will propose to the government to implement a tram service system, connecting the areas of Putrajaya, Cyberjaya, Kajang and Bangi.

SPAD chief executive officer Mohd Azharuddin Mat Sah ( pix) said the government had given the green light for the commission to initiate a Request for Proposal (RFP) exercise for bids to implement the new public transport system.

He said the tram system, a first of its kind in Malaysia, will be integrated with other public transport systems available along its line, including the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail.

“The new system will help to alleviate congestion in the areas. We have not decided when the RFP will be issued, but it will be in the next three to six months. We are learning from other countries, both in Asia and Europe, for the new system so that we will be using the best technology,” he told a press conference in highlighting the Land Public Progress Report in 2017 at Sime Darby Convention Centre.

Mohd Azharuddin said SPAD had already conducted a feasibility study for the new transport system.

He added the electricity-powered tram would provide a cleaner, greener and more efficient transport solution for public in the areas.

He said the tram was the best option as it was cost effective, as well as suitable for the land terrain in the areas.

Meanwhile, Mohd Azharuddin on another note, said there had been an increase of 7.5% of average daily ridership of rail users last year in the Greater Kuala Lumpur region. The average daily ridership for rail was recorded at 694,057 in 2017, compared to 645,601 the year before.

However, a declining trend was observed in the average daily bus ridership, down by 1% in 2017. He attributed the decline to the launch of MRT Line 1, and the e-hailing service.