The New Klang Valley MRT SBK Line Reached 1 Million Ridership in 27 days

Posted on January 13, 2017 by J Sammy One comment

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27 days after its launch of Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Phase 1 line from Sungai Buloh to Semantan (SBK Line), Mass Transit Operator Rapid Rail Sdn Bhd (a subsidiary of Prasarana Malaysia) celebrated its landmark one millionth ridership 2 days ago.

Launched by Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak on December 15, the first phase of the SBK Line commenced operations on the following day. Klang Valley commuters enjoyed a one-month free ride pass on the train and the feeder bus services. Commuters will start paying for the train and bus services fares from 17 January 2017.

The SBK Line Phase 2 between Semantan and Kajang is scheduled to open in July this year. Once fully opened, the MRT Sungai Buloh – Kajang will be connected to LRT Kelana Jaya Line, LRT Sri Petaling Line, LRT Ampang Line and the Monorail Line, which are also operated by Rapid Rail.

Rapid Rail Sdn Bhd Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Ir. Zohari Sulaiman expressed confidence that the growth in ridership will rise immensely when the line is fully opened; given the connectivity provided by LRT and Monorail lines as well as the KTM Komuter.

MRT Ridership Findings & Figures:

An average of 40,000 riders per day rode the SBK Line.
Weekends recorded a higher number of riders compared to weekdays.
Highest ridership in a single day was 25 December, Christmas Day.
67,000 riders recorded on Christmas Day
Busiest MRT Stations: Mutiara Damansara, Sungai Buloh, Bandar Utama, Kwasa Sentral and Semantan.

Marking the 1 million ridership occasion, student Ms Ng Zhi Wei had a pleasant surprise that morning when she was celebrated as the millionth passenger to have used the service, which is Malaysia’s first MRT service.

Ng was greeted by Rapid Rail Sdn Bhd Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Ir. Zohari Sulaiman and Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd Commercial and Land Management Director Dato’ Haris Fadzilah Hassan as she entered the fare gates at the Sungai Buloh MRT Station.

Also present were Rapid Rail Chief Operating Officer MRT Encik Muhammad Isom Azis and MRT Corp Project Director SBK Line Mr Marcus Karakashian.

Ng was presented with an I-pad from Rapid Rail, the operator of the SBK Line, and other goodies including the special edition Touch ‘n Go travel card from MRT Corp, the owner of the line.