Valuable insight: The public providing feedback on the upcoming MRT3, at Semantan MRT station in Kuala Lumpur. — YAP CHEE HONG
PETALING JAYA: With plans for the much-anticipated MRT3 or the “Circle Line” now publicly available, Malaysians are hopeful that it would bring about a new era of convenience and opportunity.
Business owner Linda See said the MRT3’s planned Sri Hartamas MRT station would boost her business by addressing the lack of parking in her area.
“Parking has been a serious issue in the Sri Hartamas commercial area for a long time, but with this planned station, our customers may no longer need to drive and park here.
“I definitely expect it will bring about at least some boom in business as those without cars may also be more willing to come here,” said See, who is also the Desa Sri Hartamas Owners and Traders (Commercial) Association vice-president.
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She said the only downside is the planned Escape Shaft beside the station that would replace multiple rows of car parks, which could possibly make the lack of parking worse.
Gym manager Danial Asyraff, 36, said the line could possibly finally let him go fully car-free.
“I live in Bukit Bintang so this new line may finally let me travel to my gym in Mont Kiara without having to be stuck in the typical high congestion in the area,” said Danial, who runs multiple gyms across the Klang Valley.
Business owner Wan Asmadi, 54, said he was similarly glad that the new line may finally allow him to ditch the car altogether while travelling from his home in Setiawangsa to KYM Tower, Petaling Jaya.
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“It will be more cost effective and environmentally friendly and sustainable,” he said.
Mont Kiara resident Ivan Tong, 31, said the new line could significantly cut the daily commute for both him and his wife.
“We usually have to wake up very early in the morning to avoid the ever-worsening Mont Kiara traffic congestion so that I can send my wife to the nearby MRT station before heading to work.
“But with the planned Sri Hartamas station, my wife can finally take her time to catch the train to her workplace at TRX while I also don’t have to rush out as early.
“All I hope now is that they don’t forget about the need for sheltered walkways so people can actually get to the station,” said Tong, who works as a marketing manager.
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Retiree Norah Lau, 71, expressed her excitement that she may finally be able to travel around without relying on the high cost of ehailing.
“The new planned station at Dutamas may finally give me wings to explore Kuala Lumpur.
“As long as they remember to make all the new stations elderly-friendly, I definitely will be looking to try MRT3 out when it’s operational,” she said.
This comes after a three-month public inspection exercise for MRT3 was launched yesterday to get public feedback on the project as it enters its final planning and development stages.
The three-month public inspection exercise features detailed maps, site plans and project details in accordance with Section 84 of the Land Public Transport Act.
Members of the public can inspect the alignment map from Sept 2 to Dec 2 at 35 locations in the Klang Valley, comprising eight MRT Info Kiosks and 27 MRT Info Trucks at key sites.
The orbital rail line is currently planned to span 51km around the city’s perimeter and will integrate with existing MRT, LRT, KTM, and Monorail lines through 10 interchange and connecting stations.
Its construction is slated to begin in 2026, with the entire line anticipated to be fully operational by 2032.
