THE government is prepared to review the Mass Rapid Transit 3 (MRT3) project which was suspended due to cost issues, The Star reports

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the project was important because it would complete the rail network link in the Klang Valley, adding that the Finance Ministry was willing to discuss resuming the project.

Loke noted that the country’s fiscal position had to be considered, nonetheless.

 “The review is based on the premise that the cost has to be lowered. How it will be lowered is a subject for discussion,” he said.

He said a new development model was recommended which would be more cost effective and yield higher returns on investment.

“We hope we can reach a decision by mid-2020.”

The MRT3, part of the third and final line in the Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit project, was at the planning and development stage when it was cancelled in May 2018 under a cost-cutting drive.

Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd had begun preparation works on the 40km-long line, of which 32km was underground, that was to commence operations in 2025.

Running around the periphery of the Kuala Lumpur city centre with 26 stations planned along the alignment, the line would have intersected with the Klang Valley’s existing urban rail network, expanding its coverage and providing greater connectivity. – December 23, 2019.