By LEE YAN LI lylee@thestar.com.my

WITH all the talks of MRT services and urban transit connectivity boosting house prices, it is worth nothing that the stakes fall on public reception and the adoption of the public transport service.

While most people are excited by the prospect of a faster mode of transport in the Klang Valley and hope to bypass traffic jams that plague the metropolis for years, the dream could not be realised if it fails to provide a better alternative for the urbanites who are accustomed to driving their way to work, shop, play and live.

With such a painstakingly planned and executed public infrastructure project, the goals are exceedingly simple from the users’ point of view. Cost, time and convenience are the three key features the public look for when it comes to public transport. How does the first phase of MRT Sungai Buloh- Kajang Line fare?

Just walk

For Erik van der Kallen, 42, the newly opened MRT line presents the best option to work. During the period when the MRT service was free until Jan 15, Erik got to to his work place at Mutiara Damansara from Bangsar within 25 minutes.

He had to spend approximately 12 mins walking to and from the MRT station, while the rest of the time were for the five stops of the train journey. His previous mode of transport, a cab sharing service, would take around 15 mins to reach his work place. Professing his preference for the newly minted MRT infrastructure, he intend to use the MRT as his main transport for commuting to work.

What about buses?

 For those who live and work within the proximity of a station, the promise of frequency, speed, punctuality and reliability will be the main pull for urban rail transit.

However, for others who do not live or work within a walking distance to the stations, or do not have a direct ride to the destination, the connectivity between transfer points are a crucial point to encourage a mass adoption for public transport.

Faisal Baharudin, an SPM leaver who has been a frequent user of the green line, said the extension of feeder bus service to his home at Prima Damansara, Sungai Buloh, would be a strong pull.

For now, taking Uber from his home to the Sungai Buloh MRT station cost him approximately RM6 per trip. It is still a better option than asking his parents to chauffeur him to the town and cost him less time and hassle.

“Normally, it would take me 30 to 40 mins to reach Kota Damansara area due to the traffic jam, but by using the MRT system, it is now less than 30 mins,” he said.

Mixing it up

 For some resourceful users, a flexible combination of public transport can reap great benefits despite the lack of connectivity.

Ekuinas Nasional Bhd director Hizwani Hassan said the limited MRT service did not provide direct connection to his destinations, but he was able to make the best out of the discounts offered by ride booking services during his multiple rides.

“By using the GrabCar MRT promo which offered rebates, some of my trips from Sungai Buloh to Kuala Lumpur during the free trial period are practically free,” he said.

He said there is a need for more feeder bus as there were instances in which he had to wait for nearly 30 mins for a ride, although the main obstacle to attract more people to the MRT service would still be the cost consideration.

“It is hard to ask the middle class to use it if it is not an economical choice. For instance, the park and ride service at Sungai Buloh is RM4.30. In addition, you will have to pay for the feeder bus and MRT ride too.

“I talked to some friends and some said a motorbike ride cost them less compare to the MRT service,” he said.

A hassle-less option

Faisal, who also planned to use the MRT service frequently, said the reasonable rate for him for a ride would be somewhere below RM3.

Atiqah Zaini said the MRT ride saves her money and hassle when going to work.

The 24-year-old professed that driving from her home in Cheras to Mutiara Damansara is theoretically faster, as she has to catch a cab service to the Semantan MRT station before it is connected to Cheras.

However, she said the combination of GrabHitch and MRT ride is less stressful compare to two hours of driving.

According to Atiqah, the combination of toll fees, petrol spending, car park expenses and others meant she had to fork out approximately RM1,000 for monthly travel expenses.

With the use of cab sharing service and public transport, she estimated that she could cut her travel spending to approximately RM400.

“There is a huge population in Cheras and Kajang, the MRT service would provide greater convenience to them,” said Atiqah, who was optimistic about the upcoming phases of the MRT lines.

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