KUALA LUMPUR: Retiree Hashim Hassan’s day out with his young grandchildren was usually limited to their residential area in Sungai Buloh, but now they can venture further on their own with speed, safety and comfort.
The 64-year-old only needs to hop onto a Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) train with Mohd Hazim Hafiz Izwan, six, and Nur Aina Damia Taslim, three, and off they go, even all the way to Kajang more than 50km away.
“Now we can enjoy Kajang satay during our outings,” he quipped yesterday.
MRT 1 connecting Sungai Buloh to Kajang, known as the SBK line, became fully operational on Monday under Phase 2 of the project that links Semantan to Kajang. Phase 1, which began on Dec 16, connects Sungai Buloh to Semantan.
M. Krishnaveni, 62, also brought her grandchildren K. Devendran, five, and K. Danisha, four, on the MRT from the station closest to her Taman Connaught home in Cheras to meet relatives at 1 Utama Shopping Centre in Petaling Jaya.
“I usually take a taxi, and am unable to guide the driver at times. There are also concerns of higher cost and safety.
“With the MRT, I have no such worries; I just need to ensure we get on and off at the correct stations,” she said.
College students and working professionals of Kuala Lumpur, many of whom live outside the city, also find the MRT service beneficial.
Ashley Yap, 20, found taking the MRT cut short her travel time considerably.
“Before this, I had to spend at least 30 minutes waiting to get to KL Sentral via the monorail from Bukit Bintang, and from there, I had to take an LRT to Pasar Seni before boarding the bus home.
“Now, I can board from the Bukit Bintang MRT station and get off near my house, so there is no need to move between trains and buses,” said the college student.
Manager Azman Daud, 35, is happy he can now get to work in downtown Kuala Lumpur without peak-hour traffic and parking problems.
“I spend hundreds of ringgit every month on petrol, and a lot on parking.
“I was told the MRT ticket costs RM6.60 one way maximum, and it’s cheaper if I use a Touch ’n Go card.
“In a few months I might consider fully using the MRT to work,” he said.
Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, who is minister in charge of the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD), said the Government is already getting good feedback from commuters.
“Do encourage the Government to do more so that we can focus on providing good things for the people,” she told reporters at the SPAD Hari Raya open house yesterday.
Prasarana group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Azmi Abdul Aziz said about 100,000 people had used the MRT service on Monday.
