Iskandar Region Development Authority (IRDA) was reported to proposed a 500km Mass Rapid Transit in Iskandar Malaysia, Southern Johore. The project, if it was approved by the Malaysian cabinet would likely to be build in 6 phases, with the first phases to be operational by 2020.
The project might be the one that is proposed by the joint-venture company between Malaysia Steel Works (KL) Bhd and KUB Malaysia Bhd. The joint-venture company, Metropolitan Commuter Network Sdn Bhd, is reported proposing for a world-class commuter rail network, which will utilize the existing Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) lines in southern Johore area as well as its reserve lands.
The Malaysian government had given the go ahead for a MRT line in the Klang Valley region, which is likely to start in July this year. The Sungai Buloh - Kajang line, which is about 51 kilometres length, and would likely to cost at least RM20 billion for the first line. The entire MRT ecosystem in KL was slated for a price tag at least RM50 billion for a comprehensive MRT lines of 150 kilometres.
Even though the land price in Southern Johore (not including Johor Bahru city area) is much lower than that in the Klang Valley, it is safe to say that the 500 km MRT projects would costs at least a whopping RM100 billion to say the least, considering that less land acquisitions to be made compared with the KL MRT projects, and that the project manager will utilize the existing KTMB's lines and land reserves.
The project might be a catalyst for more liberalization of the construction and infrastructure sector in Malaysia, as it was reported earlier that Singapore would help the Iskandar Malaysia to put in place MRT lines in the economic zone. This is due to the KTMB relinquishing its lands in Singapore (the relocation of KTM stations in Tanjung Pagar and Woodlands in Singapore) to the government of Singapore.
More details of the project and studies should be made in order for Iskandar Malaysia to have an orderly systematical mass public transportation system, which would attract more people to reside there and fully optimize its potential to become a vibrant metropolis.
The project might be the one that is proposed by the joint-venture company between Malaysia Steel Works (KL) Bhd and KUB Malaysia Bhd. The joint-venture company, Metropolitan Commuter Network Sdn Bhd, is reported proposing for a world-class commuter rail network, which will utilize the existing Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) lines in southern Johore area as well as its reserve lands.
The Malaysian government had given the go ahead for a MRT line in the Klang Valley region, which is likely to start in July this year. The Sungai Buloh - Kajang line, which is about 51 kilometres length, and would likely to cost at least RM20 billion for the first line. The entire MRT ecosystem in KL was slated for a price tag at least RM50 billion for a comprehensive MRT lines of 150 kilometres.
Even though the land price in Southern Johore (not including Johor Bahru city area) is much lower than that in the Klang Valley, it is safe to say that the 500 km MRT projects would costs at least a whopping RM100 billion to say the least, considering that less land acquisitions to be made compared with the KL MRT projects, and that the project manager will utilize the existing KTMB's lines and land reserves.
The project might be a catalyst for more liberalization of the construction and infrastructure sector in Malaysia, as it was reported earlier that Singapore would help the Iskandar Malaysia to put in place MRT lines in the economic zone. This is due to the KTMB relinquishing its lands in Singapore (the relocation of KTM stations in Tanjung Pagar and Woodlands in Singapore) to the government of Singapore.
More details of the project and studies should be made in order for Iskandar Malaysia to have an orderly systematical mass public transportation system, which would attract more people to reside there and fully optimize its potential to become a vibrant metropolis.
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