(Video) SBK MRT line a game changer in public transportation system (Updated)

KUALA LUMPUR: The opening of the second phase of the MRT Sungai Buloh-Kajang (SBK) line will be the beginning of many more "infra-rakyat" (people's infrastructure) projects in the country and is the real "Kajang move", said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.
The "Kajang move" was a political manoeuvre by the Opposition in 2014 to topple the 14th mentri besar of Selangor, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, and replace him with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Najib said the planned projects include the MRT Sungai Buloh-Serdang-Putrajaya second line, Bandar Utama-Johan Setia LRT3, East Coast railway, Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail and upgrading of the monorail and Keretapi Tanah Melayu systems.
"All these will be implemented by the government. When the MRT3 or MRT Circle Line is ready by 2027, we will see a fully-integrated public transportation system in Kuala Lumpur.
"Based on our track record, we can achieve this objective," he said at the launch of the SBK line second phase at the Tun Razak Exchange underground station yesterday.
Najib's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Cabinet ministers and MRT Corp chief executive officer Datuk Seri Shahril Mokhtar were also present at the launch.
"The SBK line is ready to start service two weeks ahead of schedule and those involved in the project had brought it in below cost, saving the government RM2 billion."
He said the 51km line, with 31 stations, is the most modern urban transport system in the country.
Najib pointed out that the project had created 130,000 jobs and 70,000 of those jobs related directly to the building of the line.
He said the SBK project would reduce the nation's CO2 emissions and have a positive effect on the environment as it is expected to reduce traffic by 160,000 vehicles, thus reducing 752,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emission annually.
The prime minister also announced a 50% discount on the fares for the MRT, LRT, Monorail and BRT services from today until Aug 31 in conjunction with Merdeka Day.
The MRT service will operate from 6am to midnight on weekdays and 6am to 11pm on weekends.
Each train will have four coaches with a total capacity of 1,200 passengers per journey, running at a frequency of 3.5 minutes during peak periods.
Below is a video Malaysian commuters thronging to take a ride on MRT 1: