MRT project to boost productivity of workers by 2020

KUALA LUMPUR: The mass rail transit (MRT) project will benefit the economy and boost the productivity of workers by 2020, says Land Public Transport Commission (LPTC).

Chief executive officer Mohd Nur Ismal Kamal said the implementation of the project would see 280 million annual person-hours saved in worker productivity and RM20 billion per annum in time savings.

The 60-km first line will run through Sungai Buloh, Kota Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, Cheras and to Kajang, with an initial plan to build 35 stations.

"Construction will start next July and upon completion in the next five to six years, travellers can enjoy one hour 20 minutes of smooth ride all the way to Kajang and vice-versa," Mohd Nur Ismal told a media briefing here on Thursday, Dec 23.

Also present was LPTC's chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar.

Mohd Nur Ismal said the first line would run through the city centre and integrate with the KTM Komuter, and the Kelana Jaya and Ampang light rail transit lines.

It will serve some 1.2 million commuters and run through areas such as Kota Damansara, Mutiara Damansara, Bandar Utama, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Bukit Damansara, Cheras, Bandar Tun Hussein Onn and Balakong, he said.

Mohd Nur Ismal said 20% of the Sungai Buloh-Kajang line would be underground.

During the primary stage, he said, there would also be an integrated transport terminal for Northern Corridor Economic Region to be together with MRT line, likely around Sungai Buloh.

Syed Hamid said the government has given an assurance the MRT project would be completed on time.

"However, the standard will not be compromised. At the same time, the public must be consulted," he said.

He said to ensure that the MRT project would be completed on schedule, the Cabinet has approved the establishment steering committee, which would be chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. — Bernama