Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit

Last updated
Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit
(KVMRT)
The MRT Putrajaya Line Train With Its Rolling Stock.jpg
Putrajaya Line's Hyundai Rotem EMU trainset
Overview
Owner MRT Corp
Locale Klang Valley, Malaysia
Transit type Rapid transit
Number of lines3
Line number 9 Kajang
12 Putrajaya
13 Circle MRT
Number of stationsKajang Line (31)
Putrajaya Line (35)
Circle Line (31)
Website mymrt.com.my
Operation
Began operation 9 (16 December 2016;7 years ago (2016-12-16))
12 (16 June 2022;20 months ago (2022-06-16))
Operation will start 13 (December 2028;4 years' time (2028-12))
Operator(s) Rapid Rail
Technical
System lengthTOTAL 153.2 km (95.2 mi)
9 46 km (29 mi)
12 57.7 km (35.9 mi)
13 50.8 km (31.6 mi)
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
System map

Greater KL / Klang Valley Integrated Transit Map
Source: SPAD as at May 2018

Contents

The Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit project is a planned three-line mass rapid transit (MRT) system in the Klang Valley (Greater Kuala Lumpur), an urban conurbation in Malaysia which includes the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. [1] The MRT lines, when completed, would be operated as components of the Klang Valley Integrated Transit System .

Once completed, the MRT would serve to strengthen the current rail transit network in the Klang Valley, integrating the various existing rail lines while alleviating the severe traffic congestion in the Klang Valley metropolitan area. The proposal was announced in June 2010 and was approved by the government of Malaysia in December 2010. Construction of the first line commenced in July 2011. The project also represents one of the economic entry point projects identified for the Klang Valley "National Key Economic Area" under the Economic Transformation Programme by the Malaysian government.

The Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRT Corp), founded in September 2011, has been appointed by the government as the official and asset owner of the project and the rail lines. Prior to the founding of the corporation, the project was managed by Prasarana Malaysia Berhad. [2]

Kajang Line's MRT trainset of Siemens Inspiro EMU MRT SBK Semantan station2.jpg
Kajang Line's MRT trainset of Siemens Inspiro EMU

History

In June 2010, then Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak announced during the tabling of the 10th Malaysia Plan (2011-2015) that the government was studying the MRT proposal for the Klang Valley, inspired by Hong Kong and Singapore rapid transit system. [3] The original proposal was dubbed the “Klang Valley Integrated Transportation System”, but it is more commonly referred to as the “Greater Kuala Lumpur MRT” or “Klang Valley MRT” by the press and analysts. [4] [5] [6] While the concept itself was conceived by a joint venture between Gamuda Berhad and MMC Corporation Berhad, contract awards for the design and construction packages was expected to be tendered out by the government via the Swiss challenge method, if approved. [7] The MMC-Gamuda joint venture indicated its intention to be the project leader and undertake tunneling works. [8] The newly launched Public Land Transport Commission (SPAD) would oversee and coordinate the entire MRT development in terms of cost, viability, alignment and integration, and will play the role of regulators once the project is completed. [9] [10] The national public transport infrastructure company, Prasarana Malaysia would ultimately own and operate the MRT. [11]

In December 2010, the government approved the implementation of the MRT project, [12] and appointed MMC-Gamuda joint venture as the Project Delivery Partner. Apart from tunneling works, the MMC-Gamuda joint venture will not be allowed to bid for the other eight parcels of the project. [13]

Job tenders were expected to open in April 2011 and construction was targeted to commence in July 2011. [14] On 17 August 2011, the government announced that the Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRT Corp), a new company under the Finance Ministry had been formed to take control of the project from Prasarana Malaysia. MRT Corp would be the asset owner of the project and officially take over the project from Prasarana Malaysia on 1 September 2011. [15] Prasarana Malaysia, through its subsidiary Rapid Rail, will be the operators of the new MRT lines, allowing integration with the existing Rapid KL rail network.

In May 2012, MRT Corp awarded four tenders worth RM3.22 billion for the MRT Kajang Line, the first line in the project. At the end of 2012, the corporation announced that the project for its first MRT line will not exceed RM23 billion, adding that the line is stipulated for completion by July 2017. [16]

In December 2014, during a briefing for the MRT Kajang Line, the CEO of MRT Corp revealed more details about the second MRT line. Construction was expected to begin by November 2015, after approvals and public displays in early 2015. [17] [18] In February 2015, MRT Corp prepares tenders for the second MRT line. [19] After numerous delays and re-alignments of the stations, the construction of second MRT line, the MRT Putrajaya Line began in September 2016, with Phase 1 operations of the line aimed to be started by July 2021. [20] [21]

On 16 December 2016, the construction of Phase 1 of the MRT Kajang Line which spans 23 km from Sungai Buloh to Semantan was completed and the line was opened to public. Phase 2 of line, the remaining portion of the line from Sematan to Kajang was completed and opened on 17 July 2017, allowing the entire line to enter full revenue service.

Rationale

The MRT project represents one of the economic entry point projects identified for the Greater Kuala Lumpur/Klang Valley National Key Economic Area under the Economic Transformation Programme. [14] The new MRT system is envisaged to radically improve and transform Kuala Lumpur's poor and sorely inadequate public transportation coverage and to propel the Klang Valley metropolitan area to be on par with that of a developed city. The new lines will increase Klang Valley's rapid rail network from 15 km per million people in 2010 to 40 km per million people once completed. The proposal also envisages a fivefold increase in rail ridership, in line with the government's target for public transport usage in the Klang Valley of 40% by 2020 from 18% in 2009. [22] [23]

The project's three lines – the MRT Circle Line, looping around Kuala Lumpur, the MRT Kajang Line and MRT Putrajaya Line covering a 20 km radius in the southeast–northwest direction from the city centre – will integrate the current rapid transit system in Kuala Lumpur and serve high-density areas which are currently not serviced by any rapid transit system. About 90 new stations are planned in this "Wheel and Spoke" concept, out of which 26 in the city centre will be underground. Ridership capacity will be 2 million passengers per day. [24]

The preliminary project cost, which will be government-funded, was estimated by MMC-Gamuda to be at RM36 billion, [25] representing the largest infrastructure project ever undertaken in Malaysia. Analysts estimate the cost could be significantly higher due to extensive tunneling works required. [26] [27] [28] [29] While the project is welcome by most, some analysts and commentators have expressed concerns on the commercial viability of the project and skepticism on the government part to pull off a project of such scale, given the numerous past delays in other rail-related projects in Malaysia. However, most agree that the project will generate immense economic contribution and investment returns in the future. [30] [31] [32]

Network

Initially, the previous proposed lines by MMC-Gamuda; Red Line will go from Damansara in the northwest to Serdang in the southeast, while Green Line will be from Kepong in the northeast to Cheras in the southwest. Both lines will pass through downtown area of Kuala Lumpur and converge at Dataran Perdana (Tun Razak Exchange) near Jalan Tun Razak. [31] These routes ultimately went through numerous realignments. The final route for MRT Kajang Line is believed to have replaced the Kota Damansara-Cheras Line which was originally proposed by Prasarana in 2006.

In December 2010, the government approved the implementation of the MRT project and announced preliminary plans for the first line, the 9 MRT Kajang Line, stretching 51 km from Sungai Buloh to Kajang through 31 stations. The line will pass through the city centre and will serve densely populated suburban areas including Kota Damansara, Mutiara Damansara, Bandar Utama, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Bukit Damansara, Cheras, Bandar Tun Hussein Onn and Balakong, with a total catchment population of 1.2 million people. Thie line commenced construction in July 2011 and was completed in 2017. [33]

Followed by the second line, 12 MRT Putrajaya Line. It consists of 35 stations over 52.2 km stretching from Sungai Buloh to Putrajaya, passing through the city centre and serves the suburban areas of Kepong, Bandar Sri Damansara Sentul, Titiwangsa, Kuchai Lama, Sungai Besi, Seri Kembangan and Cyberjaya. The line began construction in September 2016 and was fully operational in March 2023. [21]

In 2023, the government of Malaysia plan to build the third line, the 13 MRT Circle Line. [34] The line will consist of 31 stations with 2 provisional stations over 50 km stretching from Bukit Kiara to the University of Malaya and will serve populated residential areas including Sri Hartamas, Titiwangsa, Mont Kiara, Segambut, KL Metropolis, Titiwangsa, Setapak, Setiawangsa, Cheras, Salak South, Pandan Indah, Cheras, Pantai Dalam and Bangsar South. [35] [36] The construction of the Circle Line will form the "wheel" feature of the "Wheel and Spoke" model used in the construction of the entire MRT project. The line is expected to begin its first phase of operations in December 2028. [37]

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Selangor, also known by its Arabic honorific Darul Ehsan, or "Abode of Sincerity", is one of the 13 states of Malaysia. It is on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and is bordered by Perak to the north, Pahang to the east, Negeri Sembilan to the south, and the Strait of Malacca to the west. Selangor surrounds the federal territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, both of which were previously part of it. Selangor has diverse tropical rainforests and an equatorial climate. The state's mountain ranges belong to the Titiwangsa Mountains, which is part of the Tenasserim Hills that covers southern Myanmar, southern Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia, with Mount Semangkok as the highest point in the state.

Gamuda Berhad is an engineering, property and infrastructure company based in Malaysia. It is one of the largest Malaysian infrastructure companies and has undertaken various projects, both locally and overseas, like the construction of Klang Valley MRT lines, highways, airport runways, railways, tunnels, water treatment plants, dams, infrastructure concessions and the development of new townships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rail transport in Malaysia</span>

Rail transport in Malaysia consists of heavy rail, light rapid transit (LRT), mass rapid transit (MRT), monorails, airport rail links and a funicular railway line. Heavy rail is mostly used for intercity services and freight transport as well as some urban public transport, while rapid transit rails are used for intracity urban public transport in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur and the surrounding Klang Valley region. There are two airport rail link systems linking Kuala Lumpur with the Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport. The longest monorail line in the country is also used for public transport in Kuala Lumpur, while the only funicular railway line is available in Penang.

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Transport in Greater Kuala Lumpur includes a road network, a railway network, airports, and other modes of public transport. Greater Kuala Lumpur is conterminous with the Klang Valley, an urban conglomeration consisting of the city of Kuala Lumpur, as well as surrounding towns and cities in the state of Selangor. The Klang Valley has the country's largest airport, the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), as well as the country's largest intermodal transport hub and railway station, Kuala Lumpur Sentral.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sungai Buloh station</span> MRT, KTM and ETS integrate in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kajang line</span> Railway line in the Klang Valley, Malaysia

The MRT Kajang line (KGL), previously known as the Sungai Buloh–Kajang line (SBK), is a Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line servicing the Klang Valley, Malaysia. It is the second fully automated and driverless rail system in the Klang Valley region after the LRT Kelana Jaya Line. Owned by MRT Corp and operated as part of the RapidKL system by Rapid Rail, it forms part of the Klang Valley Integrated Transit System. The line is numbered 9 and coloured green on official transit maps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Putrajaya line</span> Second Malaysian MRT line

The MRT Putrajaya Line (PYL), also known as MRT 2, is the second Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line in Klang Valley, Malaysia, and the third fully automated and driverless rail system in the country. It was previously known as the MRT Sungai Buloh–Serdang–Putrajaya Line (SSP Line). The line stretches from Kwasa Damansara to Putrajaya and runs through densely populated areas such as Sri Damansara, Kepong, Batu, Jalan Ipoh, Sentul, Kampung Baru, Jalan Tun Razak, KLCC, Tun Razak Exchange, Kuchai Lama, Seri Kembangan and Cyberjaya.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MRT Circle Line</span> 3rd MRT in Malaysia

The MRT 3, MRT Line 3 or MRT Circle Line is a proposed thirteenth rail transit line, the third Mass Rapid Transit line and the fourth fully automated and driverless rail system in the Klang Valley, Malaysia. Once completed, this line would form the loop line of the Klang Valley Integrated Transit System. The director of this project is currently Tuan Haji Mohd Yusof Kasiron. The circle line will be numbered 13.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (Malaysia)</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Klang Valley Integrated Transit System</span> Rail transportation network in the Klang Valley

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kwasa Damansara MRT station</span> Railway station in Kwasa Damansara, Malaysia

The Kwasa Damansara station is a mass rapid transit (MRT) station that serves the future township of Kwasa Damansara in Selangor, Malaysia, which is currently being developed. It is the first station of both the MRT Kajang Line and MRT Putrajaya Line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phileo Damansara MRT station</span> MRT station in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia

The Phileo Damansara station is a mass rapid transit station serving the Phileo Damansara Commercial Centre and the northern sections of Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pusat Bandar Damansara MRT station</span> Railway station in Damansara Town Centre, Malaysia

The Pusat Bandar Damansara MRT Station, otherwise known as Pavilion Damansara Heights–Pusat Bandar Damansara MRT Station for sponsorship purposes, is a mass rapid transit (MRT) station serving the areas of Damansara Town Centre, Damansara Heights and Bangsar in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bukit Bintang MRT station</span> MRT station Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The Bukit Bintang MRT station, otherwise known as Pavilion Kuala Lumpur–Bukit Bintang MRT station due to sponsorship reasons, is a Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) underground station in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Construction started around 2012 and opened on 17 July 2017. It served as one of the stations on the Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit (KVMRT) Kajang Line, formerly known as Sungai Buloh–Kajang Line. The station has 5 walkways and entrances that are connected to iconic buildings and malls in the Bukit Bintang locality, including the Pavilion KL, Starhill Gallery and Fahrenheit 88 shopping malls. The main theme of the MRT station is Dynamic Pulse of Colour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tun Razak Exchange MRT station</span> Underground station in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The Tun Razak Exchange MRT station, also known as the TRX–Samsung Galaxy MRT Station due to sponsorship reasons, is an underground mass rapid transit (MRT) station which serves the new Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) financial district, as well as the surrounding Jalan Tun Razak, Jalan Kamuning, Jalan Inai and Jalan Delima areas of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sri Raya MRT station</span> MRT station in Cheras, Selangor, Malaysia

The Sri Raya MRT station is a Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station serving the suburb of Batu 10 Cheras, Selangor, Malaysia. It serves as one of the stations on Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit (KVMRT) Kajang Line. The station is located at 703 Telekom interchange of the Cheras–Kajang Expressway Cheras–Kajang Expressway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bandar Tun Hussein Onn MRT station</span> MRT station in Cheras, Selangor, Malaysia

The Bandar Tun Hussein Onn MRT station is a Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station in Bandar Tun Hussein Onn, located in Cheras Selatan commune, Hulu Langat region, Selangor, Malaysia. It serves as one of the stations on the Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit (KVMRT) Kajang Line. It was opened on 17 July 2017, together with the Phase 2 opening of the MRT line, along the Muzium Negara-Kajang stretch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taman Tun Dr Ismail MRT station</span> MRT station in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia

The Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI) station, also known as TTDI-Deloitte due to sponsorship reasons, is a mass rapid transit station on the MRT Kajang Line serving the suburb of Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur and Damansara Utama, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.

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