THE Penang government will issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Bayan Lepas LRT project in the third quarter of this year.
State Transport and Infrastructure Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the prequalifying process would start in the second quarter of this year, followed by the RFP in the third quarter.
“Private companies will be invited to submit their proposals on the technical aspects of the project. They also need to submit a funding model to implement their plan. For example, bidders may propose compensation methods such as development rights, land swap, advertising revenue, farebox revenue, etc.
“The state government will appoint the most suitable company to carry out the project,” Zairil (PH-Tanjung Bungah) said in his reply to an oral question by A. Kumaresan (PH-Batu Uban) at the State Legislative Assembly in the State Assembly building in Light Street today.
As LRT projects are usually funded by the Federal Government, Zairil said the state would continue to apply for federal funding under the third rolling plan of the 12th Malaysian Plan.
He added that the Bayan Lepas LRT project, a main component of the Penang Transport Master Plan, is a long-term solution to the problem of traffic congestion in the state.
“The plan was supported by 22,678 people or 97.7% of the respondents during a public consultation session between August and November 2019.”
Zairil said they are currently submitting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the LRT alignment as the LRT depot is on Island A of the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project.
Thus far, the key technical committees from the Department of Environment and PLANMalaysia have given their approvals to the Bayan Lepas LRT project.
Story by K.H. Ong