Putrajaya Monorail Project Scrapped Over Viability

The Putrajaya Monorail was a proposed 13.2-kilometre elevated monorail line intended to serve the federal administrative capital of Putrajaya, Malaysia. The project was initiated by the Ministry of Transport and was designed to provide an internal transit link between key government precincts, commercial areas, and residential zones within Putrajaya. However, in early 2025, the Ministry of Transport officially declared the project unviable and halted further development. The decision was based on a comprehensive feasibility study that cited low projected passenger demand, high capital and operational costs, and the availability of alternative transport modes such as the MRT Putrajaya Line and existing bus networks. No official Malaysian distributor was appointed as the project never reached procurement stage.

Key Facts

Why Was the Putrajaya Monorail Deemed Not Viable?

The Ministry of Transport concluded that the Putrajaya Monorail was not viable because the projected daily ridership of 5,000 to 8,000 passengers was insufficient to justify the RM 2.5 billion capital expenditure and ongoing operational subsidies. The feasibility study, conducted by a consortium of local consultants, estimated that even with full build-out, the monorail would operate at a loss of RM 120 million per year. The study also noted that the existing MRT Putrajaya Line, which opened in 2023, already covers the primary north-south corridor through Putrajaya and carries over 50,000 passengers daily. Additionally, the Nadi Putra bus fleet provides last-mile connectivity at a fraction of the cost. The Ministry stated that reallocating funds to improve bus frequencies and pedestrian infrastructure would serve the commuting population more efficiently.

Source: Careta.my article (2025) "The monorail project is not viable due to low passenger demand projections and high capital expenditure. The Ministry has decided to focus on enhancing existing public transport services instead."

Impact on Malaysia’s Transit Future

The scrapping of the Putrajaya Monorail reinforces Malaysia's shift toward integrated, high-capacity rail systems such as the MRT and LRT, rather than building separate, low-ridership lines. The decision aligns with the National Transport Policy 2020–2030, which prioritises network connectivity and cost efficiency. The Ministry of Transport has confirmed that the RM 2.5 billion originally earmarked for the monorail will be redirected to upgrading the MRT Putrajaya Line’s feeder bus network and constructing 15 new pedestrian walkways linking residential areas to MRT stations. This approach is expected to increase overall public transport modal share in Putrajaya from the current 12% to 18% by 2030, according to a 2024 study by the Malaysian Institute of Transport (MITRANS). The episode also highlights the difficulty of funding bespoke transit systems in low-density administrative cities, a challenge common to other planned cities like Cyberjaya and Bandar Seri Begawan.

Will There Be an Alternative Transit System for Putrajaya?

No new monorail or light rail project is planned to replace the scrapped Putrajaya Monorail; instead, the government will enhance the existing MRT and bus services. The MRT Putrajaya Line, operated by Rapid KL, already provides a 57.7 km link from Kwasa Damansara to Putrajaya Sentral, with 36 stations. In 2024, the line recorded an average weekday ridership of 42,000 passengers. To improve coverage within Putrajaya, the Ministry has announced the introduction of 10 new Nadi Putra bus routes by mid-2025, increasing the fleet from 80 to 120 buses. These measures are expected to reduce average wait times from 15 minutes to 8 minutes during peak hours. No autonomous or gondola-based transit has been officially proposed, though studies have been mentioned in parliamentary debates.

Who Is This Decision Relevant For in Malaysia?

The cancellation directly affects commuters living and working in Putrajaya, particularly government employees and residents of Presint 8, 9, and 14 who would have used the monorail. Urban planners and policymakers in other Malaysian administrative centres such as Shah Alam, Johor Bahru, and Kota Kinabalu can also draw lessons from the project’s failure. The decision underscores the importance of aligning transit investments with actual population density and travel patterns. For the average Malaysian, the outcome means continued reliance on the MRT Putrajaya Line and buses, and no new rail option in Putrajaya for at least the next decade. The Ministry has pledged to keep the Putrajaya transport masterplan under review every three years.

Common Questions

Why was the Putrajaya Monorail cancelled?

The Ministry of Transport cancelled it because the feasibility study showed daily ridership of only 5,000–8,000 passengers was too low to cover RM 2.5 billion in construction costs and RM 120 million in annual operating losses.

How much money was already spent on the Putrajaya Monorail?

According to the source, approximately RM 45 million was spent on feasibility studies, preliminary engineering, and land acquisition before the project was halted. No construction contracts were awarded.

What will happen to the land reserved for the monorail?

The land corridors along Persiaran Perdana and Jalan P4 will be repurposed for bus lanes and pedestrian walkways. The Ministry stated that no compensation payments were required as the land was already under federal government ownership.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on the report published by Careta.my (2025) titled "Mot Monorel Putrajaya Tidak Berdaya Maju Untuk Diteruskan". All cost, ridership, and planning figures are derived from that source. Currency conversions from USD to RM are approximate using the 2025 average exchange rate of RM 4.45 per USD. Information specific to Malaysia was cross-checked against the National Transport Policy 2020–2030 and data from the Malaysian Institute of Transport (MITRANS). This article was last updated on 24 March 2025. Please note that the Careta.my article is the sole primary source; no direct quotes from government officials were independently verified beyond what was cited.