KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 (Bernama) -- A total of 40,000 KTM Komuter users will benefit from the introduction of MYKOMUTER50 incentive starting next year, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar said this facility would allow commuters to save up to RM160 per month, while free passes would be provided to 360,000 schoolchildren, the disabled community, and children under the age of six while the My50 facility will continue for Prasarana bus and rail users in the Klang Valley.
Anwar said that as a long-term solution to issues involving train breakdowns or service disruptions, Prasarana would invest over RM3.4 billion in the comprehensive rehabilitation of its rail services.
"The government will also acquire 42 new train sets for ETS and KTM Komuter services," he said while tabling the budget themed "Reaching for the Sky, Rooted in the Earth" in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Meanwhile, Anwar announced that Phase 1 of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) from Kota Bharu to the Gombak Integrated Terminal is expected to commence operations this December, and that Malaysia and China have agreed to extend the route to Rantau Panjang.
"A bus station will be built at the Kota Bharu ECRL station for the benefit of the people of Kelantan, and RM270 million will be allocated to improve stage bus services in major towns, including connecting 15 stations on the East Coast ahead of the ECRL's commencement of operations," he said.
Additionally, he said the Government and Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd would allocate RM1.1 billion to upgrade roads in port areas and airports in Kota Kinabalu, Miri, Tawau, Sandakan, and Penang, as well as the STOLports in Long Banga and Ba'Kelalan, Sarawak.
-- BERNAMA