It's Official: MOT Confirms The 22-Year-Old Putrajaya Monorail Project Will Not Be Revived

The disused monorail building at Putrajaya Sentral. (Photo credit: angys / CC BY-SA 4.0)

If you’ve ever driven across the scenic lakes of Putrajaya, chances are you’ve spotted that iconic, half-finished concrete bridge standing frozen in time. For over two decades, commuters and residents held onto hope that Malaysia's most famous "white elephant" transit project might one day come to life.

However, the Ministry of Transport (MOT) has officially closed the chapter on the project, confirming that reviving the long-abandoned Putrajaya Monorail is simply no longer viable.

📜 FLASHBACK Why Construction Halted In 2004

Construction of the Putrajaya Monorail was originally halted in 2004 due to federal budget constraints. While underground tunnels and the iconic lake bridge were completed, no monorail tracks or trains were ever installed.

Why The Monorail Dream Was Officially Grounded

The unfinished Monorail Suspension Bridge in Putrajaya. (Photo credit: GuillaumeG / CC BY-SA 3.0)

In a written Parliamentary reply, the Ministry of Transport explained that findings from the recent Public Transport Study in Putrajaya, Cyberjaya, Bangi, and Kajang revealed that continuing the project under its current state is unfeasible.

The response came in answer to Senator Datuk Prof Emeritus Dr Mohammad Redzuan Othman, who inquired whether the ministry had plans to revive and expand the monorail network to ease traffic congestion in the federal administrative center.

A directional signboard at Putra Square pointing toward the monorail station. (Photo credit: Stress 043 / CC BY-SA 4.0)

MOT noted that reviving the project isn't as simple as picking up where workers left off in 2004. Over two decades of neglect mean that critical structures, most notably the long-abandoned underground tunnels, require complex technical assessments.

"It requires further detailed studies, such as structural integrity tests, to identify the actual condition of the long-abandoned structure."

— Ministry of Transport (MOT)What Public Transport Options Are Putrajaya Commuters Left With?

A Rapid KL bus in Nadi Putra livery picking up passengers at Dataran Gemilang on route P101. (Photo credit: Aliff MR / CC BY-SA 4.0)

Rather than pouring billions into testing and rebuilding decaying 22-year-old concrete, the ministry stated that the government is focusing on more flexible, cost-effective mobility solutions to connect the nation's administrative hub.

The current public transport footprint in Putrajaya relies heavily on road-based feeder networks:

Bas Nadi Putra: Operates 7 routes using 26 buses, recording an average of 2,246 weekday passengers.Feeder Bus Services: Runs 2 routes with 8 buses, serving an average of 1,173 weekday passengers.Rapid On-Demand (DRT Vans): Covers 3 routes with 9 vans, catering to an average of 315 weekday riders.

According to MOT, these road-based services provide better overall accessibility and connectivity across Putrajaya without the astronomical overhead costs of heavy rail construction.