KUALA LUMPUR: Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Corp has appointed London-based Arup to assess its railway assets condition, here, for RM2.7 million.
Arup said it will examine the condition of assets on the Sungai Buloh-Kajang Line (SBK Line) and will also provide a basis for a more holistic and proactive approach to asset management.
“Arup will assess the current asset condition and their rates of deterioration, providing a basis for proactive asset management in future,” said MRT Corp.
“Arup will also help MRT Corp develop its strategic asset management framework to enhance the line’s performance through a more joined up approach,” the firm said in a statement.
The 51km KVMRT SBK Line was fully operational in July 2017. It runs underground for 9.5km beneath the center of Kuala Lumpur while the rest of the alignment is elevated.
It has 31 stations, of which seven are underground. Each train serving the line has four cars, allowing a total capacity of 1,200 passengers.
MRT Corp Assets and Facilities Management head Ir Major Rtd Mohamed Shuhaidi Omar was confident to have Arup on board to provide MRT Corp a detailed insight into the asset’s lifecycle and health status.
“With this, we can plan appropriate adaptation of maintenance regimes that would be more cost effective as we deliver a safe, fast and good rail network for commuters around the Klang Valley,” he said.
Arup Malaysia principal Stefan Sanders said Arup has been in Malaysia for more than five decades, playing active role in many city-shaping projects and, more recently, rail developments.
“With our strong technical and engineering skills coupled with advisory expertise, we look forward to collaborating with more clients in the public and private sector to identify new revenue, manage their risks and improve their performance to shape a more successful business or operational model,” he said.