MRT A Benchmark For All Future Plans For Nation

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 15 (Bernama) -- The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) project is the beginning of a new journey for the nation, becoming a 'game changer' and benchmark for all future plans. Prime Minister Najib Razak said it is a holistic and people-centric project, and not just a public transport project. "The government conducted an in-depth study in terms of the people's life, the network, the population density, the traffic flow, the needs of the people and so on. "More than that, we also give special emphasis to the first and last mile connectivity," he said in his latest entry on his blog NajibRazak.com. Najib is scheduled to launch Phase 1 of MRT SBK (Sungai Buloh-Kajang) covering 12 stations between Sungai Buloh and Semantan (Damansara) on Thursday. Najib said he inherited the legacy of the previous leadership who planned and built the urban public transport system without thinking about its long-term effects on the people. "For example, the people are encouraged to take KTM trains but it is a problem for them to travel from their homes to the station." He said the government has made adjustment and transformation of public transport as one of the main focus by making improvements to ease access to LRT, KTM Komuter, buses, taxis and the MRT. "I am pleased to say that our efforts are ready to be ennjoyed by the people starting December 16," he added. For Phase 1 of MRT SBK, around 112 buses will be available at stations with their route including areas of focus and residential areas. This provide consumers the choice of whether to use the feeder buses to MRT stations and the final destinations in the city, or drive their own vehicles and use the Park-And-Ride facility available at selected MRT stations. -- BERNAMA