GEORGE TOWN – Over 40 local and international engineering firms have expressed interest in the pre-qualification exercise for Penang Island’s proposed light rail transit (LRT) system to link Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas to Komtar here.
State Infrastructure and Transport exco Zairil Khir Johari said in view of the keen interest, Penang has decided to extend the pre-qualification period from August 24 until October 7, this year.
The exercise was initially launched in July but Zairil said it was only fair to extend the period to allow proposers to submit their documents.
The project is valued at RM9.5 billion and it is envisioned to be the flagship of the proposed RM30 billion Penang Transport Master Plan, which is designed to ease the present high congestion rate in the state.
Penang will fund the project through the sale of prime land from three reclaimed islands off Bayan Lepas.
The work will consist of installing a 26.8-km viaduct, constructing 23 stations, a depot and car parking facilities.
Zairil noted that several firms from Europe and Asia had requested for more time to ready the necessary documents and bank assurances to enter the pre-qualification bid.
Joint venture companies must also prove that they have track records of finalising a railway system worth more than RM800 million in the past five years.
Despite the project’s go-ahead by the state government, the Penang Forum, an umbrella body of several non-governmental organisations here, continues to oppose the project on grounds that there are alternative public transport systems.
Civil society members want Penang to consider other modes of public transport such as bus lines, instead of constructing more roads and the LRT – The Vibes, August 11, 2022
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