Today I just want to share an article from The Star regarding on the tram project in Melaka. This is one of the mega project by the Mrails International Sdn Bhd.
Mrails International Sdn Bhd has recently succeeded a Tram Project in State of Melaka. The said project was assigned to Mrails International Sdn Bhd (SPV). The agreement was officiated between the company and the Chief Minister Incorporation (CMI) on the 3rd March 2010. The tram corridor will begin from its Depot adjacent to the Ayer Keroh Toll plaza heading to the heritage Town of Melaka with a distance of 40km covering 11 out of 14 major tourist hot spots.
An article about the project:
Said to be the first of its kind in the country, the trams will run on natural gas and cover 23 locations along a 40km route from Ayer Keroh to Banda Hilir in the heart of this historical city.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said the project, a joint-venture between Mrails International Sdn Bhd and Chief Minister Incorporated (CMI), would begin in the middle of this year as soon as the Transport Ministry gave the go-ahead.
Modern: One of the trams that will be used in the service to adopt green techology and ease traffic woes in Malacca.
“It will take the company about 12 months to get the trams running. The service should be ready by the middle of next year and its launch will be held in conjunction with National Day celebrations,” he told reporters after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Mrails International and CMI on Wednesday.
He said the service to be managed by Mrails Tram Melaka Sdn Bhd (MTM) was in line with the state’s move to adopt green technology while easing traffic woes here owing to an influx of tourists.
“Traffic from Ayer Keroh to the heart of the city is heavy during rush hour and holiday seasons.
“The trams will help overcome this problem as they will provide both locals and tourists an alternative way to travel to the city,” he said.
Based on projections, he said that 250,000 passengers were expected to use the trams monthly and provide annual revenue of RM20mil for MTM.
The joint-venture project would involve the obtaining of a 20-year interest-free bank loan, he added.
“CMI will receive 20% of the ticket sales based on its 20% commitment and the trams will belong to the state in 25 years,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mrails International president Datuk Jeya Kumar said the service would charge a RM2 fare per ride irrespective of destination.
“However, senior citizens and schoolchildren in uniform will ride free.
“It is a commitment to ensure the people of Malacca benefit from the service,” he said.
The first trams of 150-passenger capacity would be imported from China but more would be built later at Tanjung Agas in Pekan, Pahang, he added.
--The Star
