MRT2 launch date to be revealed after trial runs completed, says Loke

SUNGAI BULOH: A specific launch date for the 57.7km MRT2 line from Sungai Buloh to Putrajaya will be fixed once trial runs and system fine-tuning are completed, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

Loke, who rode the line from Putrajaya Sentral to Kwasa Damansara on Tuesday (Feb 7), had said last week the line was expected to be fully operational by mid-March.

The first phase of the RM30.53bil project was officially opened to the public on June 16, with the 17.5km line covering 12 stations from Kwasa Damansara to Kampung Batu.

"The completion of the second phase of the project will see an additional 24 stations opened.

"This will bring it to a total of 36 stations from Putrajaya Sentral to Damansara Kwasa," he told a press conference after the test ride.

He said 10 interchange stations will be located along the line, with the Titiwangsa station to be developed as a public transportation hub.

"The Hospital Kuala Lumpur station is also considered one of the main stations on the route.

"It will allow more patients and visitors to travel to the hospital.

"The station will have a 400m travelator for visitors and patients' convenience," he added.

According to Loke, a total of 107 feeder buses will serve the MRT2 stations.

Loke said MRT2 will operate a total of 47 train sets and is expected to have a ridership of 200,000 passengers a day within a year or two of its launch.

On the MRT3, Loke said the Finance Ministry is expected to approve the project soon. - Star