The new MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) train line from Sungai Buloh to Kajang opened on 16th December 2016 and I took the opportunity to try this out today for the first time. The line is only operating at present from Sungai Buloh to Semantan, with the remainder of the line to Kajang opening mid 2017.
I am lucky to be within 5 minutes walk to my local station of Bandar Utama which I have watched being slowly built over the last few years. With the station so close now to my home it will offer up a great way to avoid the traffic problems of KL and be a little greener.
There is still much work to be done around the station with extra pedestrian walkway access and footpaths but at least the station and all the feeder buses are fully operational and as a bonus it is free for one month.
Entering the station at Bandar Utama from the new commercial Powerhouse building you move up two sets of escalators then make your way across the walkway bridge to the station itself.
The station entrance is well signposted with maps of the complete Klang Valley Rail Transit System and there were some friendly staff on hand to guide the passengers.
Taking a free token to enter the station you then entered a large hallway with escalators and lifts up to the station platforms on both sides of the rail line. You could also use your touch-n-go card or monthly pass cards to enter through the barriers.
The station platform is separated from the rail line by glass panels and doors which open once the train has arrived at the stop. The design is clean and funtional and everything is very shiny and new at the moment – let’s see how long this lasts!
Within a few minutes a train arrived. The train was spacious, clean and modern and what I noticed immediately was the few seats it had so once this line gets busy there will be a lot of passengers standing.
The views from the train are very good as it runs along the elevated track getting views over the housing areas in Taman Tun, the golf course at KGPA and then as we neared my destination at Pusat Bandar Damansara the large new office complex and shops at DC City mall.
The Pusat Bandar Damansara station was similar in design with stairways, escalators and lifts down to ground level either side of the station. Here you could get a feeder bus and I took the Megamall one which only took a few minutes up the hill to drop me at Bangsar Shopping Centre. A quick and efficiet journey ….. and FREE!
My return journey was just as efficient …. a short walk down the hill from Bangsar Shopping Centre to Pusat Bandar Damansara MRT station and back on the train to Bandar Utama MRT station.
The Powerhouse commercial building next to Bandar Utama MRT station houses the park and ride facilities and will also have commercial outlets once it gets completed. The road system is being upgraded and improved with a new flyover which will hopefully ease the traffic situation as more people use this area to park and then take the MRT.
So I look forward to using this new transportation system more frequently now as it is so close and will be very convenient and less stressful than the usual bad traffic we have to experience.
Passionate Photographer …. Lost in Asia
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