Phase One of MRT2 launch delayed to at least Q2 2022, further refinement required, says CEO

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 16 —  Phase One of the MRT Putrajaya Line (MRT2), originally scheduled to start operations this month, has been delayed to the second quarter of 2022, following a minor setback during trial operations carried out since April this year.

Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) chief executive Datuk Mohd Zarif Hashim said the revised opening timeline was due to two system modules for the autonomous rail line requiring further refinement.

Mohd Zarif said it is paramount that all primary, secondary and tertiary layers of systems are stable before MRT Corp can take possession of the assets from its appointed turnkey contractors to commence operations.

“Having gone through the data ourselves, we detected that out of hundreds of system modules being implemented, two modules require further refinement.

“As of now, I am not able to tell you the exact date because this is not something we can just plug in tomorrow because any software update will need to go through rigorous test regimes.

“Given that scenario, we’re looking at almost the second quarter of next year, I cannot tell you the exact date but it will take us beyond March,” he told a press conference here.

He added that trains have been running in full-service mode daily without passengers to simulate actual operations as part of its Final Detailed Inspection and System Performance Demonstration process.

The trains have clocked over 3,000 hours of trial operations as the systems are continually tested under various state of readiness and scenario, Mohd Zarif said.

He said MRT Corp wants the service to run optimally, and has the comfort and safety of its passengers in mind.

Phase One covers 17.5km from the Kwasa Damansara MRT Station to the Kampung Batu MRT Station and has a total of 12 stations, including three stations that were moved from the Kajang MRT line.

Phase Two is currently 94.2 per cent complete according to MRT Corp, and stretches from the Kentonmen MRT Station to the Putrajaya Sentral MRT Station.

The MRT2 alignment will have a total length of 57.7km, consisting of 44.2km of elevated tracks and 13.5km running through underground tunnels. It will have 36 operational stations of which 27 are elevated and nine underground.

There are also 10 interchange and connecting stations to existing rail lines under the Klang Valley Integrated Transit System.

As for the MRT3 project, Mohd Zarif said talks with the federal government are now on the final stage. He said more details of the working draft will be announced next year.

For now, the third line will have 30 stations; 10 which will be interchange stations that link up with other MRT, light rail transit and KTM Komuter lines.

MRT3 will link both the MRT1 and MRT2 lines, forming a loop around Kuala Lumpur city.