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Mass Transit: Comparison of Bangkok & Kuala Lumpur

Session on Private Sector Participation

Yong Hee KongPPP Resource & Research Centre, Kuala Lumpur

The views expressed here are those of the presenter and do not necessarily reflect the views or

policies of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), or its Board of Directors, or the governments they

represent.

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itKL: Historical Background

• Study by JICA 1987

• Appeared in Mid-Term Review of 6th Malaysia Plan (1994)

• Appeared in subsequent Malaysia Plan. Lack of budget.

• Started in early 1990s, completed in August 2003.

• Government’s intention to create integrated rail transit network, part of multi-model urban transport system.

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itKL: Overview of Urban Rail Network

• Four components:KTM Komuter (157 km electrified double track system)LRT 1 and 2 (STAR and PUTRA)ERL (to KLIA airport)KL Monorail

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itKL: Privatized Urban Rail Transit System

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itKL: Urban Rail Transit Network

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itKL: Benefits of Privatization

• Reduced traffic congestion and time-saving.

• Positive impact on urban environment.

• Improved safety.

• Relieved government’s admin and financial burden.

• Promotion of economic growth.

• Helped to meet social target.

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itKL: Issues

• Reasons behind the need to privatize urban transit system (10 years in the making)

• Reasons for negotiated bidding

• Over-estimation of passenger figures

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itKL: Negotiated Bidding

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itKL: Over-Estimation of Passenger Figures

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itKL: Need for Restructuring and Improvement

• Both LRT (STAR and PUTRA) “nationalized” in September 2002

SPNB - takeover assets & liabilities RAPID - takeover operations

• Steering Committee (INSPAK) formed to push for integration of all transport systems in Klang Valley.

• ERL and KL Monorail still struggling financially.

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itKL: Lessons Learnt

• Over- estimation of ridership

• Overall authority body - to ensure vertical integration of systems

• Requires public sector subsidization to make fares affordable

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itBangkok Mass Transit Schemes

• Three separate schemes were initiated in the 1990’s

Bangkok Transit System (BTS or Skytrain)

Hopewell elevated rail project

The subway (20 km underground rail)

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itBangkok Hopewell

• Concession given to Hopewell Company

• 60km multimodal transport system - elevated toll road, MRT, local road improvement and a port rail

• Financial attractiveness from property development rights on SRT-owned land

• Property boom collapse during 1997 financial crisis

• 14% completed

• Government terminated concession in 1998

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itBangkok - Skytrain

• Opened in late 1999 running on elevated heavy rail system above Bangkok commercial areas

• 23 km and 23 stations, cost US 1.5 billion

• Riderships below forecast

1st year, quarter of forecastcurrent, third of forecast

• Fare box sufficient to cover operating and maintenance costs but not capex.

• Financial problems, debt of more than BT40 billion

• Restructuring plan not yet approved by creditors

• Talks of government buying over the debts (and company)

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itBangkok - Subway

• Private operates (BMCL) on 25-year concession from Mass Transit Authority of Thailand. Public sector paid for construction, concessionaire paid for trains (80:20 funding).

• Construction started November 1996, opened on August 2004.

• 20 km long with 18 stations and 3 interchange stations (to Skytrain).

• Average ridership below expectation at 140 000 p/d.

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itLessons Learnt

• Low ridership - below forecast Holistic approach required with vertical integration.High initial capex - cost recovery result in relatively

high fares compared to alternative transportation

• Linking transport infrastructure development to profits of property development is an insecure basis for ordered progress (Hopewell).

• MRT helps stimulate economic growth - e.g. rental rates of buildings gone up.