Tests delay MRT Putrajaya Phase 1, service expected ready in Q2 2022

The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Putrajaya Phase One line will not be open for revenue service in November 2021 as scheduled due to incomplete testings.

Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) chief executive officer Mohd Zarif Hashim (above) said the line may be ready for revenue service in the second quarter (Q2) of 2022.

MRT trains have clocked up 3,000 hours of trial operations and large amount of data had been gathered.

"Having gone through the data ourselves, we detected that out of hundreds of subsystem modules being implemented, two modules require further refinement.

"We need to ensure all primary, secondary and tertiary layers of the systems are stable before we take possession of the asset and clear it for operations," he told a media conference in Kuala Lumpur.

The trial operations for the MRT Putrajaya Line Phase One section has been on-going since April 29, 2021.

A total of 16 trains have been running between Kwasa Damansara MRT Station and Skampung MRT Station in full-service mode but without passengers to stimulate actual operations.

Conducting trial operations

Zarif said the company have been conducting many trial operations, including final detailed inspections.

The refinement of the subsystem is necessary to rectify the tertiary data issue, he said, adding that this is to ensure that the service could operate in an impacable state.

“So, we have no other choice except to delay the opening of the MRT Putrajaya Phase One Line.

“As a result, MRT Corp is not able to take possesion of the asset of the MRT Putrajaya Phase One Line from the appointed turnkey contractor,” Zarif said.

Updating on the MRT3 Circle Line project, he said it is still on the table.

“We are finalising for funding plans with the goverment. Give us more time to finalise the funding plan and we hope to come back to you in the early part of next year,” he said.

He expects tender for the project to open by Q3 of 2022.

- Bernama