SBK line a game-changer

> Service will improve connectivity for residents in under-served areas, says MRT chief

KUALA LUMPUR: The second phase of the MRT Sungai Buloh-Kajang (SBK) line, that will be available from 4pm today, will be a gamechanger in the country’s transportation landscape, said MRT chief executive officer Datuk Seri Shahril Mokhtar.

In providing cheap and efficient public transport service, the SBK line will serve its role particularly in facilitating under-serviced areas throughout its 51km route, with 31 stations between Sungai Buloh and Kajang.

This is because areas in the northwest and southeast of the Klang Valley are not served by any urban rail lines since the Kelana Jaya, Sri Petaling and Ampang LRT lines and their extensions only serve the northeast and southwest quadrants.

He said in the first phase of the SBK line, 11 of 12 stations were built in areas with no rail service while phase two had 13 of 19 its stations similarly located.

“This reflects MRT’s commitment to improve connectivity in suburb areas.”

Fares throughout the SBK line are between RM1 and RM6.40, enabling lower and medium income groups to enjoy the service, he said.

The Kajang to the Muzium Negara station will only be open to commuters from 4pm today after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak opens the line at noon.

There will be no service to Sungai Buloh for today.

The whole SBK line will run its full service from Kajang to Sungai Buloh from 6am tomorrow (Tuesday).

Shahril said the service would reduce cost of living.

“It is cheaper than driving your own car, with no parking charges, less wear and tear on your vehicle and extending its lifespan.”

Shahril said the SBK line would also boost the country’s gross national income through the creation of jobs and economic activities, with 130,000 positions created during the construction period alone since 2011.

Property values in areas along the SBK line would also appreciate and it created about 1.2 million square feet of commercial and residential development.

SBK line phase two will have 19 new stations – Muzium Negara, Pasar Seni, Dataran Merdeka, Bukit Bintang, Tun Razak Exchange Centre, Cochrane, Maluri, Taman Pertama, Taman Midah, Taman Mutiara, Taman Connaught, Taman Suntex, Sri Raya, Bandar Tun Hussein Onn, Batu Sebelas Cheras, Bukit Dukung, Sungai Jernih, Kajang Stadium and Kajang station.