Mass Rapid Transit networks in Southeast Asia: Transforming lives of city dwellers

Southeast Asian cities are investing in mass rapid transit (MRT), which is transformational in the way city dwellers live, work and play.


Devdiscourse News Desk | Updated: 27-05-2019 13:01 IST | Created: 08-08-2018 05:00 IST
Mass Rapid Transit networks in Southeast Asia: Transforming lives of city dwellers

Global Competitiveness Report of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in 2016-17 pointed out to the Philippines joining other ASEAN member countries in the bottom half of nations with extensive, efficient and developed transport infrastructure in the world. This is one example of improving transport infrastructure in ASEAN countries. Particularly, the face of city transport is changing rapidly in the region.

A JLL Research Report points out that Southeast Asian cities are investing in mass rapid transit (MRT), which is transformational in the way city dwellers live, work and play. In Malaysia, the first MRT line was completed in July 2017. The 51 km-route has 31 stations and increased connectivity to the city center. The line will serve an estimated 2 million people in the Klang Valley and transport 74,000 passengers daily.

Mass Rapid Transit networks are getting built across Southeast Asia. In Bangkok, the 21-station MRT Purple line opened in August 2016 and became fully connected to the network early in 2017. Together with the MRT Blue Line, BTS Skytrain network and the SRT Airport Rail Link, Bangkok’s rail-based rapid transit network now carries more than 1.1 million passengers on an average weekday.

Seven new lines and extensions to existing lines are presently under construction and due for delivery between late 2018 and 2023. These new routes will add 165 km worth of new connectivity to the existing 108 km-long network. Jakarta’s MRT is under construction and will operate in 2019. Ho Chi Minh City’s first MRT is expected to operate from 2020.

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