PARLIAMENT | Putrajaya has stated that it cancelled the proposed RM2 billion Kuala Lumpur-Klang Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, as it would overlap the ongoing construction of the Light Rail Transit Line 3 (LRT3).

"Early this month, the government announced the cancellation of BRT after a thorough study on the proposed project and other infrastructure projects in the Greater Klang Valley.

"We found that the proposed project would overlap with the LRT3 project," Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nancy Shukri (photo) told the Dewan Rakyat during the Minister's Question Time.

LRT3 is a 37km transit line that will connect Bandar Utama with Johan Setia in Klang, via Glenmarie, Shah Alam. BRT is a 34km transit with about 25 stations, that was intended to connect Kuala Lumpur with Klang.

Nancy said the decision was made not because the BRT project was not beneficial, but because it was decided that LRT3 would create a bigger impact. 

"Thus, it is not appropriate and feasible for both projects to be implemented concurrently," she told Ong Kian Ming (DAP-Serdang).

Ong had asked the government to elaborate on problems with the BRT project, which was originally slated to commence by the end of 2014.

Nancy argued, "Your attempts to claim it was problematic, and that its relation to the LRT3 project is the cause of its cancellation, are baseless."

"They are two different projects from the aspect of location, corridor, alignment and the targeted population," she said. 

Ong then asked why, if that were true, the government would not allow the approximately RM2 billion BRT project to proceed.

"Besides cost, we are also taking into account other factors, such as population density, routes that can service a large number of residents, economic activity in surrounding areas, and passengers per hour per direction."

Ong also questioned Nancy on the number of bidders for the project.

"It is reported that WCT Holdings Bhd was among the contractors to bid for the project. How many bidders did we have?" he asked, to which Nancy responded by saying that five investors expressed interest in the BRT construction projects.