KUALA LUMPUR, 17 July 2017:
Over half a million existing Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), Light Rail Transit (LRT), monorail, and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) commuters and thousands of new users are expected to take advantage of the 50% fare discount starting tomorrow until 31 Aug 2017.
Commenting on the above announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak at the launch of the second phase of the Sungai Buloh – Kajang MRT (MRT SBK) today, Rapid Rail Sdn Bhd – the official operator of the MRT service in the Klang Valley – said the fare system would be adjusted to give 50% rebate for all MRT, LRT, monorail and BRT services from tomorrow.
Rapid Rail chief executive officer Datuk Zohari Sulaiman urged the public to use the free MRT phase two service from Kajang Station to the National Museum Station until the end of service hours today (July 17), with the last train departing the Kajang Station and National Museum at 11.30pm tonight.
Zohari said more than 1,200 Rapid Rail staff have been assigned to operate the SBK MRT service, which was expected to attract up to 10 times the number of current MRT users.
In anticipation of the increase in passengers, especially at integrated and connected stations, Rapid Rail has been renovating several major stations, including the KL Sentral LRT Station.
He said the newly-renovated East Wing of the KL Sentral LRT Station now functioned as the second entrance to the KL Sentral LRT Station and was equipped with a customer service office, 17 automatic gates, four escalators, closed circuit cameras, 11 token machines and Touch ‘n Go facilities.
Zohari also reminded MyRapid cardholders to change their cards to the new MyRapid Touch ‘n Go cards to ensure a smooth journey between the LRT system and the new MRT system.
“MyRapid cardholders (black cards) can switch their cards to MyRapid Touch ‘n Go cards for free at most LRT, BRT, and monorail stations until July 31.
“Concession card holders, including senior citizens, disabled people and students can change their MyRapid concession card at the Subang Jaya LRT Station, Awan Besar LRT Station, Sri Rampai LRT Station and the MyRapid Concession Card Centre at the Pasar Seni station from 7am to 7pm daily.”
Some of the MyRapid Touch ‘n Go card recipients have expressed their happiness at getting the cards in conjunction with the launch of the MRT SBK Line.
Comprising 100 individuals from the lowest 40% household income group (B40), they were also grateful to the government for the successful implementation of the country’s modern transportation network.
Twenty out of these individuals, including the disabled, received the cards as a personal contribution from Najib and handed over by the Prime Minister himself at a ceremony in Stadium Kajang here today. The monetary value of the cards were, however, not announced.
One of the card recipients, Rilycca Wong Kit Ting, 20, a student at the Bangi Industrial Training and Rehabiliation Centre (PLPP) for the disabled, said the card would make it easier for her to use public transport after this.
“I feel very lucky today. This card is very useful and save money for me to travel.”
Mohd Alif Aiman, 19, who studies at the same training centre, said he was very happy to meet face-to-face with the Prime Minister for the first time.
“I have never met the Prime Minister and I am thankful to MRT for inviting me to come and join in the ceremony,” he said, adding that it would be his first time riding the MRT using the card, which was easy and cost-saving.
Sam Immanuel S. Salvan, 20, a PLPP office management student, said the MyRapid TnG card would make it easier for him to use public transport, such as travelling back to his home in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan.
The B40 group comprises those with a household income of RM3,900 and below and the donated cards will enable them to utilise all Rapid KL services, LRT, MRT and other services that offer the use of the MyRapid TnG cards as part of efforts to ease their financial burden.
– Bernama