Just in case you wonder, here is the historical background of the Light Rail Transit or LRT and the Mass Rapid Transit or MRT in Malaysia.
Key historical moments
Check this timeline out.
- 1996 – The Ampang Line was the first LRT line opened in Malaysia.
- 1998 – The Kelana Jaya Line was officially opened and was the first fully automated LRT system in Southeast Asia.
- 2016 – The MRT Sungai Buloh-Kajang (SBK) Line, also known as MRT SBK, is Malaysia’s first Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system. It has a total length of 51 km and covers 31 stations, making it the longest fully automated metro line in Southeast Asia (SEA).
- 2022 – The MRT Putrajaya Line phase 1 was opened followed by phase 2 in March 2023.
- 2030 (expected completion date) – The MRT3 Circle Line which is the critical final piece to complete Kuala Lumpur’s urban rail network which will run along the perimeter of the city of Kuala Lumpur.
Major benefits
These are the main ones.
- Reduced traffic congestion: According to a study conducted by the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD), the LRT and MRT systems in Malaysia have reduced traffic congestion by 50,000 cars per day.
- Time savings: On average, the travel time for a single ride on the LRT and MRT systems in Malaysia ranges from 20 minutes to 45 minutes.
- Cost savings: For example, the average fare for the MRT SBK Line is RM 2.10, which is much cheaper than taking an e-hailing vehicle or driving a car. There is also RM50 monthly pass for unlimited rides.
- Reduced pollution: According to SPAD, there is a reduction of 22,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year which is equivalent to planting 2 million trees.
- Increases mobility: Especially for those areas that are not well-served by other modes of transportation thereby improving the quality of life for many people.
What’s next?
The MRT3 Circle line is reported to be opened in 2030.
Overall, the LRT and MRT systems in Malaysia have revolutionized public transportation in the country and have been instrumental in connecting people from different parts of the city. They continue to be a vital part of Malaysia’s transportation infrastructure, providing a reliable, efficient, and safe mode of transportation for millions of commuters every day.
Would you join us at #jomnaikMRT today? Go green, take the trains.
What’s next, improving the last mile with Shuttle Buses, e-hailing vehicles, micro-mobility vehicles, etc.
Do we really need more cars on the road? Let’s consider this carefully.
