KUALA LUMPUR: The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT 3) Circle Line will be the catalyst in improving connectivity and will serve as the last critical piece in completing the Klang Valley Integrated Transit System, says Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
He said the project, expected to be fully operational in 2030, would increase connectivity with 10 interchange stations.
“MRT3 will also expand its public transport coverage network in the Klang Valley and provide access to transit rail for communities who currently do not or have less access to public transportation services,” he said at the press conference on the MRT3 Circle Line here yesterday.
Citing an example of good connectivity, he said the Titiwangsa Station would be an efficient public transport hub.
“What is most interesting about this station is that it will be an interchange station for five rail transit lines, which are MRT3, Putrajaya MRT, Ampang LRT, Sri Petaling LRT and also the KL Monorail.
“A city bus transportation hub will also be built in Titiwangsa and this will further enhance multi-mode connectivity transportation for the convenience of users,” he added.
With the MRT3, Dr Wee said Malaysians would receive benefits through the development of the supply chain that would involve players outside the Klang Valley.
All systems go: Dr Wee with (from left) Malaysian Rail Link Sdn Bhd CEO Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak, Mohd Zarif, Mohd Azharudin and KTMB chief operating officer Mohd Zain Md Taha. — ART CHEN/The Star
“This will generate employment opportunities for the local community, with factories creating Industrialised Building System (IBS) components for construction and operating rail systems,” he added.
He said efforts to increase the involvement of the bumiputra community would also be implemented in line with the Bumiputra Development Action Programme (TPB) 2030.
The project will also provide employment opportunities for local youths, especially TVET graduates involved in the rail industry.
MRT Corp chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Zarif Hashim said the MRT3 Circle line alignment would include connectivity to under-served areas of the city.
He said the construction cost for the MRT3 project was estimated to be similar to the cost of the Putrajaya MRT Line, which was around RM31bil, adding that the actual cost would only be known after the open tender process was completed.
Prasarana Malaysia Bhd president and chief executive officer Mohd Azharuddin Mat Sah said ridership numbers hovered at about 1.4 million a day prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, but dropped to 380,000 during the pandemic.
However, with the MRT3 Circle Line, he said ridership was expected to reach two million passengers.
In his briefing, Azharuddin said an Integrated Common Payment System (ICPS) or a single fare system would be introduced to cover public transport systems such as the LRT, Monorail, MRT and Prasarana buses in the Klang Valley, and KTM Komuter (urban rail).
The MRT3 Circle Line will have a circular alignment of about 51km and run along the perimeters of Kuala Lumpur.
The proposed alignment comprises 40km of elevated tracks and 11km of underground tunnels. It will have 31 stations, of which 10 will be interchange stations with eight existing rail lines in the Klang Valley.