Today marks a game changer in the country’s transportation landscape with the launch of the MRT SBK phase two.
With today’s Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) phase two opening of the Sungai Buloh-Kajang (SBK) line, the 51-km route will serve areas where previously there were no urban rail lines.
In the first phase 11 out of 12 stations, while in the second phase 13 out of 19 stations were built in under-served areas.under-served areas.
An affordable means of transportation, a ride starts from as low as RM1, with the most expensive fare being RM6.40.
Besides being affordable and convenient, seven out of the 31 stations are set to be popular locations for taking selfies and wefies.
Art galleries in their own right, the seven stations are all located underground and decorated with Malaysiana art works.
Starting at the Muzium Negara station, which is next to the transportation hub of KL Sentral, walk down memory lane on the evolution of public transport modes in the country from bus and taxi to train services.
Fittingly, the Pasar Seni station is all about culture, arts and craft while the Merdeka Station features patriotic elements such as a mural portraying a silhouette of the ‘Father of Independence’, the late Tunku Abdul Rahman and the country’s first prime minister, raising his hand during the declaration of independence on Aug 31, 1957.
The Bukit Bintang station in the centre of the nation’s business district has a dynamic bright red artwork.
The identity of the Tun Razak Exchange station is a resemblance of the ‘Islamic Corporate’.
The Cochrane and Maluri stations represent the elements of “urban living and new generation”, portraying contemporary art with vibrant, modern and youthful elements.
Safety systems in the underground stations are “best-in-class” and state-of-the-art technology to ensure that emergencies are quickly and efficiently managed when the need arises.
All materials used in the underground stations and trains are non-flammable.
All underground stations are equipped with automatic fire and sprinkler system, public address systems for passenger paging and mass evacuation, and help phones. They are monitored by closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras.
The underground stations are also incorporated with green technology to boost energy efficiency.
Facilities with greater convenience for the disabled include ticket gates that are wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs, movement-triggered elevators from the ground level to the concourse and platforms, braille markings on lift control buttons and step-free access drop off points.
The RM23 billion SBK line will serve as a corridor to a population of 1.2 million people, linking their homes with their destinations in the city.
Each train set serving the SBK line will have four cars, with a total capacity of 1,200 passengers per trip and a daily ridership of about 400,000 passengers.
The trains will run at a frequency of 3.5 minutes.
Related reports:
Jul 13, Najib and Family in Joy Ride on New MRT Line
Jul 11, PM Pokes Fun at Opposition in Kajang MRT Tweet
Jun 29, July Launching of MRT 1 Second Phase