‘MANY OBSTACLES FROM STATION TO NEARBY AREAS’

COMMUTERS using the recently opened Persiaran KLCC MRT station in Kuala Lumpur have been enjoying the convenience of faster travel and reduced traffic congestion, but their last-mile journey leaves much to be desired.

Pedestrians who use the Persiaran KLCC road to walk to and from the station to nearby offices and malls say the route is unsafe and filled with hazards.

They are hoping that Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) will build a covered walkway for pedestrians’ convenience and safety.

Vimala Ravindran, 58, who works in the area, said the authorities should ensure there was a proper pathway for pedestrians, including a covered walkway.

“The direct route from the station to the Suria KLCC area is via Persiaran KLCC, which is a walk of about 10 to 15 minutes.

“There are construction hazards all along the route and pedestrians often have to step onto the road to avoid them.

“The interlocking bricks have also given way in some places and the pathway is uneven,” she said.

Vimala urged the authorities to look into the matter of pedestrian safety, as the new train line benefitted many who are working in the area.

Persiaran KLCC MRT station is part of the Putrajaya MRT Line.

The line was fully opened to the public on March 16.

Another frequent MRT user, Mohd Azlan Mohd Karim, 34, said that while he had no complaints about the train service itself, the journey to and from the station was not conducive.

“If the government wants more people to use public transport, they also need to look at basic facilities such as pedestrian walkways.

“At the moment, it is still better for me to commute via public transport rather than drive to Kuala Lumpur from my home in Sungai Buloh.

“But some people may choose to drive into the city if it is still not pedestrian-friendly,” he said, adding that it would typically take about 20 minutes to walk from the station to his office on Jalan Yap Kwan Seng.

Mohd Azlan said he would sometimes take the train at the KLCC station and use the Kelana Jaya LRT line to get home when it rained, though that option required him to switch trains.

DBKL had yet to respond to requests for comments at press time.

2023-05-21T23:43:41Z dg43tfdfdgfd