First Phase Of MRT Starts Off Smoothly

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 17 (Bernama) - It was smooth operation as phase one of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) service between Sungai Buloh and Semantan (Damansara) took off Friday. People from all walks of life took the opportunity to try this new mode of transport as the first train set off at 6 am to cover 12 stations. Furthermore, the government is providing free MRT as well as feeder bus rides from Friday until Jan 16 as a gift to the public. The 21km journey from Sungai Buloh to Semantan passes through Kampung Selamat, Kwasa Damansara, Kwasa Sentral, Kota Damansara, Surian, Mutiara Damansara, Bandar Utama, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Phileo Damansara and Damansara Town Centre and back. IT executive Adam Othman,32, said the MRT train service could help save his transport costs as it was much cheaper than travelling by car from his house in Sungai Buloh to his work place in Phileo Damansara. "On average, I spend about RM35 daily on petrol, road toll and parking fees but now via the MRT my transport cost will only be about RM10 a dailyy." Syarifah Rogayah Syed Mahamad, 36, a human resource executive residing at Desa Moccis in Sungai Buloh said the MRT is a new alternative for her to get to work at Jalan Beringin which is nearby the Semantan station. "With the MRT I can save time and money," said Sharifah Rogayah. Student, Nuri Ismazatul Rahim, 13, who was satisfied with the MRT and feeder bus services said they were on time and the rides were comfortable. "I will definitely use this mode of transportation more frequently for outings with my family or friends," she said. Each train for the Sungai Buloh-Semantan line will have four cars which can accommodate 1,200 passengers and will take half an hour and vice-versa. Prasarana Group president and chief executive officer Azmi Abdul Aziz said 10 people comprising auxillary police personnel, ticket operators and technicians would be stationed at every station. "The MRT operating and safety systems meet international standards." He said Prasarana was optimistic it would achieve the target of 160,000 MRT commuters in a day from next month, immediately after the school holidays. Meanwhile Rapid Rail chief executive officer, Zohari Sulaiman said for the time being the company was not planning to provide special coaches for women as it would be difficult to cope with the crowd especially during peak hours. "Although there are no women-only cars available, the trains (MRT) are equipped with closed circuit television (CCTV) and security personnel are constantly monitoring the situation," said Zohari. The MRT service operates daily from 6 am to 12 pm Monday through Friday and from 6 am to 11.30 pm on Saturday and Sunday. Feeder buses operate daily from 5.30 am to to 11.30pm. The MRT fare is between RM1 and RM3.90. Rapid Rail the operator for the MRT service is a subsidiary of Prasarana Malaysia, the largest public transport services operator in the country. The 30km phase two Semantan-Kajang line is scheduled to operate in July 2017. -- BERNAMA