April 15, 2011 14:56 PM
JOHOR BAHARU, April 15 (Bernama) -- The Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) has given the go-ahead for the proposed RM1.23 billion modern inter-city commuter train service network in Iskandar Malaysia.
The train service will have an annual ridership of over 30 million.
Metropolitan Commuter Network Sdn Bhd, a tie-up between KUB Malaysia Bhd and Malaysia Steel Works (KL) Bhd, will undertake the job.
Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman said the project was in line with the targets set by the National Key Result Areas (NKRAs) under the Economic Transformation Plan (ETP) and Iskandar Malaysia transportation blueprint.
"The commuter service is indeed a timely investment which will coincide with Iskandar Malaysia's tipping point of 2012 and all major commercial developments are to benefit from the commuter service," he said.
He also expects the commuter service to unlock the property values along its proposed routes.
The intra-city train service entails the building of seven new stations and 16 halts connecting all major suburbs in Iskandar Malaysia.
The commuter service will cover over 100km of rail network and serve all major upcoming Tipping Point developments such as the Johor Premium Outlet, Legoland Malaysia, Educity, Senai High Tech Park and Lake Hill Resort City.
The project is envisaged to provide a shuttle service from JB Sentral to Woodlands in Singapore, said IRDA in a statement.
Construction of the rail transit infrastructure will be funded by Metropolitan Commuter Network and project financing was under the Public Private Partnership scheme.
Meanwhile, IRDA chief executive Ismail Ibrahim said the authority was committed to ensure sufficient and efficient feeder bus system was in place to support the intra-city rail service.
"While having significant impact in the reduction of traffic in the Johor Baharu Commercial Business District and Singapore, this initiative will also cut down emmission of greenhouse gases, thus being in tandem with our vision of being enviromentally-friendly," he said.
He said the rail service is expected to facilitate substantial spin-off effects, generating thousands of job opportunities in tourism, property development and retail sectors.
MCN chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Abdul Samad said the company was on track to launch the intra-city train service by next year, with a total deployment of 19 three-car trains by 2013 to serve the prople.
"I'm pleased to note that our world-class commuter train service is anticipated to generate Gross National Income of RM1.63 billion over a period of 25 years."
"The linkages provided via the upcoming commuter service are designed to be seamless for a hassle-free and business-conducive environment," he added.
-- BERNAMA
