Introduction

We at Open Brunei reflected on our experiences of the metro services in Singapore, London and at major cities around the world, and wondered what a metro service would look like in Brunei. Where would the stations stop by? How many lines would there be? How would it all fit together?

And so, after much messing around, using the data available to us, we propose to you – drumroll, please – a metro service for the Brunei-Muara district.

6 routes

69 stations

Longest Route: Central Line covering 26.94 miles

Shortest Route: Circle Line covering the distance of 10 miles.



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The routes and interchanges pinned on Google Maps.

+ – Please read (click to expand) This is not a “real” proposal. Not at all. Consider this a fun exercise in creating a graphic of what a route map of a metro service in Brunei would look like if it existed. The use of real data is a plus, as it helps us, and you, to understand that it is not easy to construct a transportation system that caters to the public. For more on this, see our Appendix “Development of Routes”. We would like to point out that, in this exercise, we are not taking into account the feasibility of such a system. There have already been discussions about such a system in Brunei; read our Appendix “Background”. Leaving aside the limited infrastructure and costs related to building a metro service, this proposal offers a glimpse into such a transportation system in Brunei. We invite you to imagine with us, and comment accordingly. 😀 We have no connections to this website or this image that has been distributed on Whatsapp. They both propose similar concepts and by no means do we think we have come up with a unique idea.

An important disclaimer, that you should definitely read: , that you should definitely read: This is not a “real” proposal. It has not been submitted to any of the relevant authorities. We have no formal connections to the BSB Masterplan, the Land Transport Department, transportation committees or other related organisations.

Interchanges

Central Line

Circle Line

Muara Line

North Eastern Line

North Western Line

Western Line Interchanges There are seven interchange stations: Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei International Airport, Gadong, Kiulap, Sengkurong A, Serusop, and Universiti Brunei Darussalam. They are concentrated in areas where people are likely to change stations for work or school. Central Line Initially the Central line was made up of two lines connected at Bandar Seri Begawan station, one catering to Mukim Gadong A and B, and the other to Mukim Lumapas and Mukim Pengkalan Batu. After some thought it made more sense to create a Central line, to connect them both. Circle Line The Circle line was created to service some of the major government buildings, from the Old Airport Area station and the Jalan Menteri Besar station. During sporting occasions or marathon events, the National Stadium station can be used to ease congestion. The train used for this line will be running far more regularly in comparison to the other lines. Muara Line The Muara line is probably the most scenic of the routes and was the first one we created. Going along the Brunei River, it’s also a line that could appeal to tourists, going through The Brunei Museum, the Pantai Menteri Golf Club and the Beaches along the Muara area. North Eastern Line Primarily this line serves students of Universiti Brunei Darussalam and Institut Teknologi Brunei, but it’s also a convenient route for those staying at the Empire Hotel and Country Club. North Western Line The North Western line is split into two, according to the initial census Lambak Kanan has one of the highest residential population and splitting the line will ease congestion during peak hours. Western Line This line stretches to Kupang in Tutong, and from there, people will be serviced by a different transport system for the Tutong district. The main areas serviced by this line are Mukim Sengkurong and Mukim Kilanas.

If we consider the various kampongs that are served by the line, and residential populations of each, we can see the potential numbers of people served by each line and station. The numbers have been compiled into this spreadsheet.

View the spreadsheet to see:

the full list of stations in the Brunei-Muara district;

the potential residential population served by each station;

and other stats, as only non-statisticians could create.

The figures did not heavily influence the choice of stations. For more on this, view our Appendix “Development of Routes”.

(back to Top)

We invite you to share your opinions on our Brunei-Muara Metro Service.

Again, we are not taking into account the implementation in terms of cost-effectiveness or infrastructure. Yes, those are important, but the purpose of this exercise is to imagine Brunei having an MRT system, and not to entertain cries such as “this a waste of money”. Please view our Appendix “Background” for an overview of concerns with public transport, which can be a starting point, for those of you who do want to think on that level.

We think it would be totally cool if anyone wanted to expand on our routes, or create other routes, e.g. complementary bus routes, or a railway between districts. Like us, you can pretend that it is totally economically viable to set up such transport systems. 😀

What do you think?

Questions: Do the lines work for you? What would these lines mean for school students, workers, families, and tourists? Which ones would you use most?

If there were a metro service in the Belait, Tutong or Temburong district, where would the interchanges be? What would the most popular route be?

How would you price the tickets? Add your comment below!

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