KUALA LUMPUR: The Johor government has approved the proposed RM1.23 billion intra-city commuter train service in Iskandar Malaysia, which would involve 100km rail network.
Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman had on Friday, April 15 given the approval to Metropolitan Commuter Network Sdn Bhd - a joint venture between KUB MALAYSIA BHD [] and Malaysia Steel Works (KL) Bhd (Masteel).
A joint statement by Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) and Metropolitan Commuter Network said the intra-city train service would involve the building of seven new stations and 16 halts connecting all major suburbs in Iskandar Malaysia.
The commuter service would cover over 100km of rail network and serve all major upcoming Tipping Point developments such as the Johor Premium Outlet, Legoland Malaysia, Educity, Hi-Tech Park-Senai, and Lake Hill Resort City.
The project would involve a shuttle service from JB Sentral to Woodlands, Singapore.
The building of the rail transit infrastructure would be funded by MCN and project financing under the public private partnership (PPP) scheme.
It is forecasted that project would have an annual ridership of over 30 million people, once operational.
Datuk Abdul Ghani, who is also IRDA co-chairman, said the project was in line with the targets set by National Key Result Areas (NKRAs) under the Economic Transformation Plan (ETP) of the Government and the Iskandar Malaysia transportation blueprint.
'Iskandar Malaysia is pleased to welcome yet another significant investment, especially one which would directly benefit the community and businesses.
'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 proposed commuter serviced and we expect to unlock the property values along the routes of the rail service,' he said.
IRDA chief executive Ismail Ibrahim said IRDA was committed to ensure a sufficient and efficient feeder bus system was in place to support the proposed intra-city rail service for it to reach its full and optimum capacity to service the commuters.
'While having significant impact in the reduction of traffic in Johor Bahru Commercial Business District (CBD) and Singapore, this initiative will also cut down the emission of green house gases, thus being in tandem with our vision of being environmentally-friendly,' said Ismail.
Ismail added the commuter network being based in Kempas Bharu is expected to facilitate a substantial spin-off effect in the vicinity, generating thousands of employment opportunities in tourism, property development and retail''sectors.
MCN chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Abdul Samad said with this endorsement, MCN was certainly on track towards launching the intra-city commuter train service by 2012, with total deployment of 19 three-car trains by 2013 to serve the rakyat.
'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, and serve as a show case PPP project in the country.'
'The linkages provided via the upcoming commuter service are designed to be seamless for a hassle-free and business-conducive environment,' he said.
Johor Bahru recorded an estimated 19 million visitors in 2010. The tourism industry in Malaysia is targeted to raise total GNI contribution by RM67 billion to reach RM104 billion by 2020.
Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman had on Friday, April 15 given the approval to Metropolitan Commuter Network Sdn Bhd - a joint venture between KUB MALAYSIA BHD [] and Malaysia Steel Works (KL) Bhd (Masteel).
A joint statement by Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) and Metropolitan Commuter Network said the intra-city train service would involve the building of seven new stations and 16 halts connecting all major suburbs in Iskandar Malaysia.
The commuter service would cover over 100km of rail network and serve all major upcoming Tipping Point developments such as the Johor Premium Outlet, Legoland Malaysia, Educity, Hi-Tech Park-Senai, and Lake Hill Resort City.
The project would involve a shuttle service from JB Sentral to Woodlands, Singapore.
The building of the rail transit infrastructure would be funded by MCN and project financing under the public private partnership (PPP) scheme.
It is forecasted that project would have an annual ridership of over 30 million people, once operational.
Datuk Abdul Ghani, who is also IRDA co-chairman, said the project was in line with the targets set by National Key Result Areas (NKRAs) under the Economic Transformation Plan (ETP) of the Government and the Iskandar Malaysia transportation blueprint.
'Iskandar Malaysia is pleased to welcome yet another significant investment, especially one which would directly benefit the community and businesses.
'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 proposed commuter serviced and we expect to unlock the property values along the routes of the rail service,' he said.
IRDA chief executive Ismail Ibrahim said IRDA was committed to ensure a sufficient and efficient feeder bus system was in place to support the proposed intra-city rail service for it to reach its full and optimum capacity to service the commuters.
'While having significant impact in the reduction of traffic in Johor Bahru Commercial Business District (CBD) and Singapore, this initiative will also cut down the emission of green house gases, thus being in tandem with our vision of being environmentally-friendly,' said Ismail.
Ismail added the commuter network being based in Kempas Bharu is expected to facilitate a substantial spin-off effect in the vicinity, generating thousands of employment opportunities in tourism, property development and retail''sectors.
MCN chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Abdul Samad said with this endorsement, MCN was certainly on track towards launching the intra-city commuter train service by 2012, with total deployment of 19 three-car trains by 2013 to serve the rakyat.
'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, and serve as a show case PPP project in the country.'
'The linkages provided via the upcoming commuter service are designed to be seamless for a hassle-free and business-conducive environment,' he said.
Johor Bahru recorded an estimated 19 million visitors in 2010. The tourism industry in Malaysia is targeted to raise total GNI contribution by RM67 billion to reach RM104 billion by 2020.
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