(Petaling Jaya, Tuesday): Besides appointing private consultant to carry out opinion polls, Syarikat Prasarana Negara Berhad (SPNB) shall also form a consultative, implementation and monitoring committee, comprised of residents, representatives from political parties and societies to consult and monitor the construction and implementation of the third LRT system.

According to our understanding, SPNB had on June appointed a private consultant to carry out opinion poll and survey on passengers to collect suggestions and opinions from them before a full report can be issued on October and works be started next year.

 

The government had also in its 2007 Budget claimed that it will allocate RM 10 billion to improve public transportation system in Klang Valley form 2006 to 2010. This includes the RM 7 billion allocated for LRT systems, which will be used for the procurement of another 140 trains, expansion of PUTRA and STAR LRT system and the construction of the Third LRT System which connects Kota Damansara and Cheras.

 

We would like to put forward our suggestion to SPNB and the government to form a consultative, implementation and monitoring committee which will serve as a link between the people, various government agencies and various contractors involved, to ensure that the needs of the people are well taken care of as well as to ensure that an integrated and comprehensive rail link system can be put in place to really benefit the people.

 

It is also to ensure that the third LRT system will not repeat the errors of the first and second LRT system. SPNB CEO Shaipudin Shah Harun also admitted that the first and second LRT Systems (Star and Putra LRT Systems) lacked of comprehensive pre-construction preparation in terms of selection of stations’ locations and route selections until it fails to fulfill and cater the needs of its potential passengers.

 

Therefore, it is vital for the SPNB to enable the formation of the suggested committee in order for it to launch a series of interactions with people from various walks of life, as well as to educate the public on the details of the LRT system, i.e allocations, locations of the stations etc. This will also serve to encourage the public to rely on public transportations for their daily travels as well as to ease the increasingly congested traffic in Klang Valley.

 

Besides, the reported to be completed by the appointed private consultant could best be made available to the public and public input should be allowed before the constructions starts next year.

 

On the formation of the committee, I will write in to suggest it to SPNB to ensure that the RM 70 billion will be spent effectively and efficiently.

 

 

(19/09/2006)