THE opening of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Putrajaya Line is expected to trigger and revitalise development in old, existing areas, as well as areas yet to be developed, said Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob. 

He said with the opening of the new line, the government was confident that areas located along the route, such as Jinjang, Sungai Buloh, Kepong and Bandar Sri Damansara, could develop more rapidly to be on par with other areas.

“The MRT Putrajaya Line Phase 1 involves the route from Kwasa Damansara to Kampung Batu, while Phase 2, which is almost fully completed, involves the route from Kampung Batu to Putrajaya.

“The Phase 2 route will run across strategic areas including Kuala Lumpur city centre with underground stations at Titiwangsa, Kuala Lumpur Hospital, Ampang Park, Persiaran KLCC and Tun Razak Exchange (TRX),” he said at the launch of the MRT Putrajaya Line Phase 1 at Kampung Batu MRT station in Kuala Lumpur today.

Also present were Finance Minister Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Transport Minister Dr Wee Ka Siong, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Mustapa Mohamed and Federal Territories Minister Shahidan Kassim. 

Ismail Sabri said the MRT Putrajaya Line was expected to become the catalyst for improving connections between residents and communities, especially those living close to the line.

“It will be easier for the people to travel and commute to work, to socialise and to access other public facilities,” he said.

The prime minister said the 57.7km MRT Putrajaya Line has 36 stations comprising 27 elevated stations and nine underground stations with a total construction cost of RM30.53 billion.

In celebration of the line’s opening, Ismail Sabri also announced one-month free rides on all public transport operated by RapidKL, namely MRT, Light Rail Transit  (LRT), Bus Rail Transit (BRT), Monorel and RapidKL buses, starting today.

“I hope members of the Malaysian Family will take this opportunity to try using public transport by parking their cars at the Park N Ride facility and take a ride on the MRT,” he said. 

Ismail Sabri said the full opening of the MRT Putrajaya Line was expected to record an initial daily passenger count of over 104,000 and was hoped to reduce traffic congestion currently plaguing the capital.

The prime minister said it was the government’s aspiration to provide a safe, efficient, sustainable and reliable public transport system for the Malaysian Family in accordance with the National Transport Policy.

He said the provision of public transport would be improved so that all members of the Malaysian Family could better enjoy access to services and smoother connectivity as outlined in the 12th Malaysia Plan.

“This is one of the main agendas of the government to revive and stabilise the country’s economy and ensure the wellbeing of the Malaysian Family.” – Bernama, June 16, 2022.