MRT Corp hands out projects to five successful bidders

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KUCHING: Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRT Corp) has awarded five work packages for the Sungai Buloh – Kajang (SBK) MRT Line to the tune of RM3.5 billion.

According to a press release, the packages which were being awarded subject to the companies signing the acceptance of the Letters of Award were for the Viaduct Package V8 from Taman Mesra to Kajang; Electric Trains; Signalling of Train Control System; Power Supply and Distribution and Depot Equipment and Maintenance Vehicles.

According to the research arm of OSK Investment Bank Bhd (OSK Research), the breakdown of the total amount consisted of a RM1.4 billion contract for the supply of 58 sets of four-car trains, a RM418 million contract for depot equipment supply, a RM281 million signalling contract, a RM459 million job for power supply and the construction of the V8 viaduct from Taman Mesra to Kajang worth RM951 million.

The research firm stated that the handing out of the latest five contracts brought MRT Corp’s total number to 45 packages worth RM20 billion.

“Attention is now likely to shift to the remaining three elevated station packages, which we believe would cost RM700 million to RM800 million in total, due to be awarded over the next two weeks,” said the analyst.

In the press release, MRT Corp chief executive officer, Dato’ Azhar Abdul Hamid said that the winning bidders had been evaluated and selected after a comprehensive and vigorous evaluation process by the One-Stop Technical committee with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as the advisor.

The evaluation looked at various factors, including technical capability, financial strength and cost management to find the best fit that would ensure the project got the highest quality of technical input from capable contractor, it elaborated.

Azhar added that the Prime Minister‘s direction for the companies undertaking the MRT project was for them to be able to ensure quality in their delivery, to manage cost well and to ensure the MRT as a product employed the latest technology and met the expectations of future commuters when it was delivered in 2017.

OSK Research noted that the contractors for the five projects were Siemens AG-SMH Rail for the four-car trains; UEM Construction undertaking the V8 viaduct package for Taman Mesra- Kajang; Meidensha Corp taking the power supply and distribution system; Siemens AG-Hisniaga for the depot equipment and maintenance services and Bombardier Inc tendered for the signalling and train control system.