Najib: LRT extension project to benefit two million Klang Valley residents

KUALA LUMPUR: The launch of 25 new stations under the LRT line extension project will benefit about two million people in the Klang Valley, especially those in the Petaling district, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The Prime Minister said the extension route, which includes highly populated areas such as Kinrara, Puchong and Subang Jaya, would propel these urban centres into new economic growth areas.

With better public transport system, traffic congestion in Subang Jaya, Glenmarie, Kinrara and Puchong can be reduced, said Najib.

A total of 25 new LRT stations went into operation Thursday on the Kelana Jaya and Ampang alignment.  

Among them were Puchong Perdana, Puchong Prima, Ara Damansara, Subang Jaya, USJ 7, Awan Megah and Putra Heights.

"People in these areas finally have access to additional public transportation," he said in his latest blog posting on NajibRazak.com Friday.

The Prime Minister launched the Kelana Jaya and Ampang alignments with an integrated station in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya and 15 new stations that started operations at 6am on Thursday.

He said the 15 stations were in addition to eight stations that started operations in October 2015 and March 2016.

The Prime Minister added that the RM8bil public transport integrated system was a government initiative, intended for the well-being of Klang Valley residents and visitors.

He also said that with a better public transport system, the government targeted a rise in commuters from the current 21% to 40% by 2030.

He said Putra Heights would also become an integrated public transport hub with bus, KTM Komuter, Monorail and MRT services offered at the station.

"I had the opportunity to look at the operations at the stations yesterday and I expect about 300,000 new users to come on board every day," he said.

Najib said the route extension, which began in 2011, was a high-impact economic project and a study showed a 25% rate of return.

"Soon after assuming the national leadership in 2009, I made the development of a more efficient public transportation system my major focus because every major road in and around the city is congested.

"People living and working in the city have been suffering for a long time due to traffic congestion.  

"Insya-Allah (God Willing) by next year, we will be able to enjoy another public transport transformation product when the MRT Route 1 project is launched," said Najib.  - Bernama