Prasarana to operate MRT Sungai Buloh-Kajang Line 1

KUALA LUMPUR: Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd has received the government’s nod to operate the mass rapid transit (MRT) Sungai Buloh-Kajang Line, which is slated to be operational by the end of 2016.

The Ministry of Finance (MoF) said in a statement yesterday that MRT Transit Corp Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) is the owner and developer of the first line from Sungai Buloh to Kajang.

The construction of the mega project is expected to cost RM23 billion.

In May, MRT Corp expressed its interest in being the operator of the 51km MRT line. MRT Corp chief executive officer Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid was quoted as saying that he was confident that MRT Corp would have the capability to be the operator.

He said that Prasarana already had a lot on its plate with the operation of the existing light rail transit (LRT), the extension of LRT and monorail as well as the stage buses system.

Azhar said by securing the operational work from the government, it would keep both MRT Corp and Prasarana on their toes and the quality of services in proper check and balance, said the article.

Prasarana is a company set up by the MoF in 1998 to facilitate, undertake and expedite public infrastructure projects approved by the government.

The firm is also the asset owner and operator of the Ampang and Kelana Jaya LRT lines, KL Monorail, as well as bus operations in the Klang Valley, Penang and Kuantan.

It was reported that the progress of the MRT Line 1, which stretches for 20.5km, has reached 43.49% compared with its initial plan of 42.78% in May this year.

Meanwhile, Phase 2 involving 30.5km from Semantan to Kajang, is expected to be ready and operational by July 31, 2017.

This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on June 17, 2014.