Yet another surprise from MRT developer – Saleh Mohammed

In MRT Corp's response dated June 12, 2014, to my article dated June 9, 2014, it is surprising that yet there is another surprise. Nevertheless, I thank En Amir Mahmood Razak for his prompt response

We note the provision of a pedestrian linkway between the One Utama Station and Jalan Burhanuddin Helmi in TTDI is to ensure easier access for the public to the station. However, the point in question is the engagements with stakeholders. This linkway was not in the original plan and the way we were recently informed was through a mail-drop. We truly believe this is not what the project developer meant with direct engagement.

We also note there will be 500 parking bays built on Persiaran Bandar Utama. In the Executive Summary of the Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (Esdeia), it is reported the ridership for One Utama Station is 46,900 passengers per day. We are not too sure whether this park and ride facility is sufficient to serve the needs of 46,900 passengers, of course, not all will be driving.

Whilst we appreciate the pedestrian link way is to serve those living in the vicinity of Burhanuddin Helmi and even along Jalan Leong Yew Koh and Jalan Athinahapan, we believe the numbers that will be using it does not merit the cost of the link way. Since this project is using tax-payers money, we suggest the project developer to explore all possible options to save costs. We hope the value management study (VMS) where an independent party is employed to scrutinise project plans and ensuring that the optimum value is derived has given due consideration for this new development.

Our fear of the project developer using the wide stretch of road at Jalan Athinahapan as parking spaces while saving cost in not providing sufficient parking spaces at the One Utama station seems to be real. The fear is growing with the plan to build a covered walkway through to Jalan Athinahapan and also into the TTDI Community Centre (with ample parking spaces). In a way it will benefit residents of the surrounding communities but the end game will be passengers parking at the Community Centre. This will not improve the air quality in the area. TTDI residents using the Community Centre would then be deprived

A point to note is the KVMRT lack synergistic integration with bus terminals and other train lines. This could impair ridership targets and dispersal of commuters. The example here is the One Utama station which is not integrated with a growing bus hub located about 1km away from the proposed station which is also near ample open land for expansion. There have been questions as to whether the designed alignment serves the interest of the public transport users or other hidden commercial interests.

By the way, whilst we have some respect for our law enforcers, we are not too sure it will work in this instance. Case in point are the utility damages and the inconveniences written by Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye with regard to the project

On the Social Impact Assessment (SIA) that was part of the mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), it was hardly comprehensive and conclusive. For a project of this nature and size, the SIA should have been more comprehensive.

The other surprise mentioned earlier is the Traffic Dispersal Studies.

The Traffic Dispersal Studies were unfortunately not done during the engineering design stage of the Project. As a friendly advice to En Amir Mahmood, I would like him to refer to items 126 and 155 in the ESDEIA. I would have hoped it was done before the EIA approval but it was stated as "currently conducting detailed traffic impact assessment for all the 35 stations" and "Detailed traffic management plans are now being prepared by the Project Proponent for every construction site". I was told that a declaration form attached to the EIA report shows a consultant registered in the area of traffic studies had been specifically tasked to carry out the traffic modeling but had not done so. The Land Public Transport Commission and also Prasarana may be able to confirm.

Fact is, I have personally written to MRT Corp in 2011 on reliability of data used by its consultants/advisers. If I may add, it may be advisable for MRT Co to conduct proper training or courses for its staff.

I wish to reiterate, we are not against the KVMRT but what we are unhappy with is the way the project is being implemented without due consideration for the well-being of people directly affected by the project. For such mega project the authorities need to make sure that they take everything into consideration to ensure that it goes well and is cost-effective.

* Saleh Mohammed reads The Malaysian Insider.