Source: http://thestar.com.my/metro (By TAN KARR WEI, 12/3/2011)
The locations of several proposed MRT stations for the Sungai Buloh-Kajang line is likely to create more problems instead of solving them. One such station is the proposed Bandar Utama station, which will be built near the Media Prima broadcast centre at the junction of the Damansara-Puchong Highway (LDP) and Persiaran Bandar Utama. Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua said the area was already packed with cars and having a station there would worsen the congestion.
"There is no park-and-ride facility and there will be cars waiting for passengers by the main road," said Pua, who held a joint press conference with Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar, Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng and Subang MP Sivarasa Rasiah near the site at Persiaran Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya.
"The Bandar Utama MRT station is expected to be the busiest in the northern part of the alignment, servicing about 46,900 passengers daily and is the fifth busiest of the 35 proposed stations. "Why is the MRT station located 1km away from the bus terminal even though high ridership is expected? Instead, it is located along the busy LDP," said Pua. He added that the MRT would be not be beneficial without a proper bus system to complement it. Pua said in Singapore and Hong Kong, people did not rely fully on the MRT as the bus system also played an important role. "There are better alternative locations to look at. The proposed site for the KL Sentral station is also not located within the present KL Sentral station but near the National Museum. "The distance is even further than to the KL Monorail, which people were already complaining because of the long walk," he said. Sivarasa said a public meeting was held for stations in his constituency without the MP and assemblyman. "During a meeting in the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), we asked the rationale of putting stations where they are and were told some were meant for another two lines that have not been finalised. "How are we going to understand the rationale when there is no information on the other lines? The proposed stations should not be independent of the other two lines. "We appreciate the project is being carried out but it should not be rushed," said Sivarasa. Nurul Izzah said the Klang Valley MRT was the largest infrastructure project for the nation and suggested it be put on hold so all feedback and views could be taken into consideration. Pua said the tenders for the project's sub-contractors was supposed to be announced next month while the deadline for public feedback was May 14, raising the question of what would happen if there was a variation from the original plans if the public was not satisfied with the station locations.
Lim Lip Eng said based on feedback from Taman Tun Dr Ismail residents, most did not want the station in their area and they also called for it to be located away from the LDP to avoid congestion and parking problems.
"The Land Public Transport Commission has only held meetings with the Taman Tun residents while the Bukit Damansara residents are holding their comments until a meeting is called for in their area," he said.
Bandar Utama City Corporation director Datuk Teo Chiang Kok said an integrated transportation hub had always been part of their master plan. He said ideally, 1Utama and The Curve should have their own stations but the distance between the two locations would be too near. "We have a bigger population and ridership from our shopping malls and offices so it makes sense to have it here," he said. The 1Utama open carpark serves as a transportation hub, with major bus and coach services like RapidKL, Aeroline, Genting Express and LCCT Skybus operating out of Bandar Utama. "We have also proposed for a joint venture with MBPJ to build two levels of basement carpark below the Central Park next to 1Utama. "We are willing to build it and go on a shared revenue basis with the council," he said. He said many people were lobbying for underground stations and it should be considered. "It would be more expensive to go underground but we should also look at the long-term gains because the stations are going to be here for a long time. "To mitigate the extra cost, the land around the stations can be developed for retail," he said. Teo said it was technically possible to build an underground station that could be shared by both shopping malls.
Related news: Halt MRT project, say Pakatan MPs http://malaysiakini.com/news/158335
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