#30 MASS RAPID TRANSIT (MRT)

The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) project is the country's largest infrastructure development up to date and includes three phases in total - MRT Line 1 (Sungai Buloh-Kajang), MRT Line 2 (Sungai Buloh-Serdang-Putrajaya) and MRT Line 3 (Circle Line in KL City Centre).

Commuters in Klang Valley will soon have cause to rejoice - The first phase of MRT Line 1, which connects Sungai Buloh to the Semantan station in Damansara Heights is scheduled to begin operations next month. Phase 2, on the other hand, which is between the Semantan Station and Kajang will be opertational in the not-so-distant July 2017. This line will feature both elevated and underground stations and is expected to run at a frequency of 3.5 minutes.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister recently officiated the groundbreaking ceremony for the MRT line 2 in September. It will serve the area from Sungai Buloh via Central Business District of Kuala Lumpur to Bandar Malaysia, Kuchai Lama and Serdang before ending at Putrajaya. Some of its 37 stations will include Jalan Tun Razak, KLCC, Kepong, Sri Damansara, Kampung Batu, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Seri Kembangan, Kuchai Lama and Cyberjaya.

Stretching 52.2km, MRT line 2 will include a 13.5km underground section, where there will be 12 stations between Jalan Ipoh and Kuchai Lama. The first phase, from Sungai Buloh to Kampung Batu is expected to be completed by 2021 while the second phase, from Kampung Batu to Putrajaya Sentral, is set to be completed by 2022.

The second route will also intersect with all other rail lines a total of 12 times, with three different stations connecting to the Ampang-Sri Petaling line and the KTM rail respectively.

The MRT line 3, which is also known as Circle line 1, due to its circular track, will be built entirely underground. Construction is expected to commence in 2022 and completion is scheduled for 2026. The exact locations of the stations are yet to been confirmed but a rough estimate could be deduced based on the boundary lines set.