Experts say Malaysia's proposal to use a light rail transit (LRT) system instead of an MRT system is a possible option for future cross-border rail connections, which could reduce initial construction costs.

But in the long run, maintenance costs for light rail systems may be higher.

They added that research must also be conducted to study future passenger demand and whether the light rail system can meet the demand.

Malaysia said on Thursday that it would continue the Johor-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) link, but proposed several changes to the structure and specifications of the project, and Singapore said it was investigating.

The decision was made after a suspension period (a total of seven months) required by Malaysia so that various issues could be studied, such as implementation costs.

The link may be delayed beyond the original completion date of December 31, 2024.

One of Malaysia's proposals is to use an LRT system instead of Singapore's MRT system, which the two countries agreed to last year when they signed a bilateral agreement.

Experts believe that the construction cost of the light rail is lower because it is a simpler and smaller system.

"The light rail trains are smaller and carry fewer passengers, so the cost of the civilian infrastructure needed to support them may be lower than that of the MRT," said Raymond Ong, a transportation infrastructure expert at the National University of Singapore (NUS). "

Dr Ong added: "The track may not have to be that wide and the design burden may be less."

In terms of capacity, Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke said two days ago that the proposed LRT system would be similar to the LRT system used in Kuala Lumpur and could carry up to 10,000 passengers in one direction per hour-in line with the RTS plan Capacity.

But to achieve light rail, rail experts may need to run trains at more frequent intervals and larger capacities.

Park Byung Joon, an expert on urban transportation at the University of Social Sciences in Singapore, said, "For example, if we only have a large number of passengers on weekends, then light rail may be a wise choice.

"But if there is a high daily passenger load and the system runs more frequently at full capacity, there will be more wear and tear and maintenance costs will be higher."

He added: "In evaluating proposals for the use of light rail, total life cycle costs must be considered, not just initial construction costs."

Experts also point out that the RTS plan has the same core systems as the Thomson-East Coast subway line, such as trains and signaling systems. If a light rail system is used, the economies of scale brought by this arrangement will be lost.

The 4km RTS will connect Bukit Chagar in Johor Bahru, Johor to Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) Woodlands North Station, and plans to outsource heavy maintenance work to the TEL operations of Mandai Depot on the line SMRT train.

"If we use the MRT system, we don't have to build additional maintenance facilities for the MRT system," Dr Park said.

"The light rail usually carries less passengers and runs slower than the MRT."

He added: "The suitability of light rail for cross-border RTS links can be assessed in various aspects, such as infrastructure, facilities, services, system capacity and passenger needs."

Dr Ong said that future demand forecasts are needed to assess whether MRT or LRT systems are suitable for RTS.

He added: "If future peak demand exceeds the carrying capacity of the light rail system, then MRT will be more suitable."

(Source by The Straits Times)