IPOH: The Railway Asset Corporation (RAC) has shortlisted two consortium companies to establish the Ipoh Railway Integrated Development (iRide) plan, says Anthony Loke (pic).
The Transport Minister said RAC is now evaluating which of the request for proposal (RFP) submissions is better.
He said the ministry is expecting that the collaboration on the project can be awarded to the master developer in the fourth quarter of this year.
“The RFP is proceeding smoothly, as both consortium companies are big and are interested in developing the RAC land at the back of the Ipoh Railway Station, which will be branded as Ipoh Sentral.
“This project will be an integrated development, and act as a catalyst for development in Ipoh city,” he told reporters after opening the Perak DAP state convention held at the Ipoh Convention Centre here on Sunday (Sept 8).
Loke said that Ipoh’s railway station is more than just a heritage building, it is also a busy station due to the frequent ETS services from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh.
“We will try to increase the train frequencies further. The Ipoh station has become very busy, and RAC has been carrying out renovation works to provide comfort for passengers.
"A certain area has been renovated to serve as a temporary waiting area for passengers,” he added.
The iRide development plan, encompassing 78 hectares around the Ipoh railway station, was launched on October 10, 2019.
The collaborative project between RAC and Menteri Besar Incorporated (MB Inc) aims to transform 27 hectares into a major transport hub.
The development will be divided into various segments, including affordable housing, hotels, educational institutions, commercial spaces, green areas, and mixed-use zones, to ensure a balanced and comprehensive approach.
