Putrajaya Pulls Plug on ART Plans Due to High Costs

Putrajaya Corporation (PPj) has shelved plans to introduce a trackless tram or Automated Rail Transit (ART) system in the administrative capital, after studies showed that the project would be too costly to implement.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), Datuk Lo Su Fui, told the Dewan Rakyat that initial assessments estimated the ART project would cost RM211.95 million over a 10-year period. This figure covers infrastructure works, system deployment, as well as operational and maintenance expenses.

“The projected cost exceeds PPj’s financial capacity as a local authority. As such, there will be no ART implementation in Putrajaya, and there are also no plans to extend the proposed line in future phases,” he said.

Despite the decision, Lo stressed that PPj remains receptive to future public transport initiatives, subject to funding availability and approval of allocations, particularly in line with efforts to raise public transport usage to 70%.

Addressing suggestions for alternative funding mechanisms such as public-private partnerships, he said transport-related decisions are guided by detailed assessments that take into account costs, benefits, risks and the government’s current fiscal position.

In the meantime, Lo noted that measures are already in place to ease congestion in Putrajaya, including the operation of NadiPutra buses across seven daily routes, alongside water taxi services.

Source: Bernama