Rapid KL LRT - Line Extension

[tunomura]

Back to the basic, as what it name was, public transport is a transportation that use to bring us to our destined places. The best condition of public transporatation is you can go to your destined places in less traveling time, green and comfortably. It must be well located and well connected in order to make it is fully utilized. In my opinion, LRT/Komuter is main transportation mode and must be supported by bus as 2nd mode of transportation.

1) Parking - Park n' ride is good but it still no meaning because "manja" Malaysian still have to start their car to the station, find the parking and this surely will increase the traveling time and more emission produced. FYI, in Malaysia only, there is more than 8000 cars produced monthly, by mean every month there is is additional 8000 cars on the road. You can recognized it by how long it take the change of plate number from WTG to WTH. Two weeks I think.. So, parking numbers is never ending story.

2) Feeder bus - In Prasarana's proposed line extension planning, there is no planned route for feeder buses. This is the key factor of how the station can be fully utilized. Even the station is build far from the residential, by having connected with bus that covered all area, it can solve parking problem and "manja" Malaysian no need to start their car.

[allurban]

Originally Posted by argory

The situation is a sticky one and it may be unfair to fault the residents. They have invested life savings into what they hoped would be their dream home.

not to mention that the place they went was as close to countryside as they could get. Subang Jaya and USJ were considered to be very remote & rural when the houses were first sold.

Cheers, m

[rizalhakim]

LRT plan gets the nod as residents feel it will ease traffic
By THO XIN YI


A FEW residents associations and organisations in Subang Jaya and USJ have given the thumbs up to the LRT extension plan.

They feel that the LRT would be a convenient alternative for residents who have had enough of traffic congestion and poor bus services in the townships.

Subang Jaya Senior Citizens Club president Yeong Teik Boon believed that the extension would shorten the travelling time between Subang Jaya and the city centre.

“Buses here are not punctual and the Komuter station is not easily accessible by all,” he said.


Hear us out: Ong (second from right) stressing a point during the meeting.

Jamaludin Ibrahim of the USJ 5 residents association welcomed the LRT extension as it would help the people save money and time, while Subang Jaya Consumers’ Association secretary Gan Meng Foo believed that it would alleviate traffic congestion.

However, they hoped that the feeder bus services would be well-planned.

Persatuan Poh Toh Subang Jaya chairman Koay Teng Koon added that the car park facilities must be sufficient to encourage car owners to use the LRT to get to their destinations.

The Subang Jaya Coffee Merchants, Bars and Restaurants Association, meanwhile, urged the authorities to look into the environmental and health aspects when implementing the extension.



Kelana Jaya MCA chairman Ong Chong Swen, who is also the USJ 5 residents association deputy president, is hoping that the LRT extension would change the people’s travelling habits.

“They can take the trains to work and use their own cars for leisure on the weekends,” she said.

Ong added that she was informed by Prasarana that it had received 92% positive feedback on the project.

JKP Zone 4 deputy chairman Shafiee Shariff Abdullah also hoped that construction work would commence as soon as possible.

Subang Jaya resident M. Vivekananda, on the other hand, was concerned about the efficiency of the LRT in solving the traffic problem in the Klang Valley.

“Using the proposed LRT extensions can result in having to travel in a rather circuitous route.

“Additionally, if the existing LRT lines have not solved the transport problem in Kuala Lumpur, how can they be expected to solve the transportation problems in the other areas such as Subang Jaya and USJ?” he asked.

He suggested the authorities look into transport woes in a holistic manner to overhaul the traffic management system.

“By extending the LRT, Prasarana cannot bring about a magical transformation to end the transportation woes. A colossal amount of taxpayers money is involved in this project.

“The authorities need to make a judicious decision in the name of progress and sustainable development,” he said.

Another Subang Jaya resident G. H. Goh suggested that an independent loop be formed along the Damansara-Puchong Expressway for travellers heading to Petaling Jaya to save the time of LRT users who are heading to Kuala Lumpur.

[nazrey]

---

[nazrey]

Work starts on LRT station
By ROZAID A. RAHMAN Sunday December 20, 2009



Positive response: The proposed site of the LRT station that was recently
cleared of undergrowth yesterday. Construction of the extended lines is
scheduled to begin in March next year.

PETALING JAYA: Land clearing work for the main Putra Heights LRT station has started.

A check at the proposed site of the station, which will act as an interchange for commuters using the Kelana Jaya and Ampang lines, showed that the area has been cleared of undergrowth.

Construction of the extended LRT lines is scheduled to begin in March next year.

At least 90% of the public have responded positively towards the proposal since it was first announced three months ago.

The proposed extension plan was displayed for a three-month public viewing at the Department of Railways, the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), Subang Jaya Municipal Council, Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) and Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).

The deadline for the public to give feedback on the 34km extension ended on Dec 14.

Syarikat Prasarana Negara Berhad (SPNB) communications general manager Ebi Azly Abdullah said some resident associations wanted some of the new routes and stations to be reviewed, but none objected to the extension.

“Overall, the public agreed that we should build this extended line. Some resident associations from Taman Bunga Negara, Subang Alam, Section 2 and 3 of Putra Heights objected, but not against the extension as a whole. They want the route and location of stations at some parts to be reviewed,” he told The Star.

The Kelana Jaya-Putra Heights extension, estimated to cost about RM6bil to RM7bil, will have 13 stations, starting with Kelana Jaya/Subang Valley, Subang, Subang Jaya, USJ, and Alam Megah before ending at Putra Heights.

The Sri Petaling-Putra Heights line, also with 13 stations, is estimated to cost RM8bil and cuts across Puchong and Kinrara.

Ebi said construction would begin early next year and expected to complete by the end of 2012.

“However, this would depend on the changes that need to be made to some routes based on the feedback and suggestions received from local authorities,” he said.

[nazrey]

MPAJ 2020 Draft Plan for Ampang
By FAZLEENA AZIZ Saturday December 19, 2009
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.as...11&sec=central

A plan to build an incinerator plant at Tasik Tambahan near Hulu Langat is part of the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) 2020 Draft Plan.

The incinerator is part of efforts to reduce MPAJ’s waste management costs in the future.

Presently, MPAJ’s assessment collection is about RM90 to RM100mil and 40% of it is used for waste management purposes.

MPAJ Town Planning director Awang Mustapha Mohd Yunus, during a recent briefing on the draft plan at Dewan MPAJ in Pandan Indah, said that the council did not have its own solid waste management centre and the cost of transporting waste was high.

Among other highlights of the draft plan were the extension of the LRT service from Bulatan Kuari to Taman Mawar to Taman Muda and Menara MPAJ with three new stations.

MPAJ has also asked that the proposed LRT line from Taman Permata, Taman Melawati to Zoo Negara, be extended until Ampang Point.

Beautification and landscaping was also part of the plan with a recreational park along Sungai Kerayong in Pandah Indah that would have facilities and open space.

Present during the briefing was Teratai assemblyman Jenice Lee who stated the importance of public involvement in the plan.

About 50 residents turned up for the briefing. They raised their concerns and asked questions with regard to the draft plan.

The draft plan consists of four planning blocks with Pandan Indah, Ampang, Melawati and reserved areas.

The closing date for submitting feedback is Dec 31.

However, Awang said that as long as the investigation committee had not gone into session, they would still accept any feedback from the public on the draft plan.

So far, 334 feedback forms have been received by the MPAJ.

Lee is also planning to have two more briefings on the plan on Dec 22 (technical experts, residents associations and committed members) and Dec 23 (opened for the public).

Both will be held at 8.15pm in her office 48-1, Jalan Bunga Tanjong 10, Taman Muda, Ampang.

For more information call 03-4295 1267.

[rizalhakim]

Residents want LRT station in Sunway
2009/12/23


UBANG JAYA: The deadline for objection to the light-rail transit (LRT) extension project may be over, but residents are hoping that they can still have a say in the plan.

Residents' representatives from Subang Jaya and Sunway held a discussion with Subang Jaya assemblyman Hannah Yeoh at her office yesterday.

Bandar Sunway Residents' Association chairman A. Balakrishnan said the residents had requested for a station in Sunway, as the plan, announced in September, did not include the area.

"We have about 40,000 residents in the area and four colleges. As we know, most of the students take public transport, so by having a station there, it will make it more convenient for them.


"The nearest station in the plan is located about 5km away in Jalan Jengka. It will not solve the traffic problem around the area as we will still have to drive or take the feeder bus to get to the LRT station. It will be better if we have our own station.

Balakrishnan later told Streets that during a meeting with the Railway Department, it was said that the suggestion to include Sunway in the new LRT route was not feasible, both technically and financially.

"However, we were told by Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd that the ridership would increase by five per cent, so there is even more reason to have a station here," he said.

The RM7 billion extension plan includes 13 extra stations each for the Kelana Jaya and Ampang line, including an interchange station at Putra Heights.

Prasarana group managing director Datuk Idrose Mohamed had also announced that 35 sets of four-car trains and 13 sets of six car-trains would be commissioned to cater to the increase in the number of commuters.

Meanwhile, Yeoh said 164 residents who attended the public display of the LRT line extension project agreed with the proposed extension while 68 objected due to sound pollution and inadequate packing facilities. -- By Nuradzimmah Daim

[rizalhakim]

LRT boost for real estate
By Racheal Lee
Sunday, 27 December 2009 00:00

LRT lines bring smiles, and fears

The government’s recent announcement that Klang Valley’s two light rail transit (LRT) lines would be extended by 34.7km has brought smiles to beleaguered commuters in areas like Subang Jaya, USJ, Kinrara and Puchong.

While they are looking forward to better public transport when the project is completed, targeted for 2012, owners of real estate near the proposed new LRT stations are eagerly anticipating a welcome fillip for property values.

An influx of commuters can be expected with the proposed LRT extensions
An influx of commuters can be expected with the proposed LRT extensions
On the flip side, there are concerns that traffic woes, parking problems, noise pollution and insufficient public bus services to cope with the anticipated influx of commuters could put pressure on the value of their properties.

One of them is Jalil Sutera resident Ooi, who is worried that the new LRT station (STN01 of Ampang line) will be built too close to his house.

“It (the extension) is good but if there are not enough parking spaces at the LRT station, users may just simply park their cars on our doorstep,” says the 43-year-old contractor, who went to view proposed alignment of the extended lines recently.

The proposed alignment of the extension to the Kelana Jaya (formerly Putra) and Ampang (formerly STAR) lines is on public display from Sept 15 to Dec 15. Public feedback will be channelled to the Department of Railways before finalisation of the cost and commencement of work.

The display is held at five venues — Department of Railways (Ministry of Transport), Kuala Lumpur City Hall, Petaling Jaya City Council, Subang Jaya Municipal Council and Shah Alam City Council.

The Finance Ministry-owned Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd (SPNB) is expected to spend an initial RM6 billion to RM7 billion to build the extended lines. According to a recent news report, SPNB launched the pre-qualification tender for the civil works of the LRT extension on Nov 3, a month later than earlier scheduled. The tender will be open till Dec 16. The package comprises the main civil and infrastructure works and other sub-packages.

It has also been reported that SPNB has yet to invite bids for the systems and rolling stock portion, which is being eyed by international as well as local companies.

Concerns of homeowners like Ooi are not baseless. He says he was told at the Department of Railways that the LRT station would be built about 100 metres away from houses in his neighbourhood.

However, when City & Country visited the existing Ampang station (S01) in Selangor, it was found to be just next to a row of 2-storey terraced houses in Taman Dagang, less than 100 metres away.

Commercial use
It is ironical how the winds of fortune can blow. Back in 2003, Adrian Wang, managing director of CBD Properties Sdn Bhd, had problems selling a bungalow at the back of the Taman Bahagia LRT station in Petaling Jaya. He even suggested to the owner to reduce the RM1.1 million tag but the owner refused to budge. As it turned out, the property is now worth about RM1.8 million because its land use has been converted from residential to commercial.

More and more bungalows near LRT lines, such as those on Jalan SS2/3, are being used for commercial activities, including a confinement centre and kindergarten. A visit there recently revealed that at least three of the bungalows were up for rent. One of them, sized at 2,000 sq ft and with the LRT line at the back, was asking for RM5,000 a month.

Interestingly, according to Wang, the 1-storey terraced houses opposite the Taman Bahagia LRT station are sought after irrespective of their micro location, tagged at RM280,000 to RM290,000. He attributes this to the limited supply.

Stable
Quoting past transactions, Chan Wai Seen, director of research and consultancy of JS Valuers Property Consultants Sdn Bhd, says values of properties near LRT lines, such as those along Jalan SS2/3, have not dipped.

Only homes located near LRT stations, and not LRT lines, have commercial use potential. Since the new lines will cut through developed areas, the provision for car parks and access roads to the stations may be restrained by space, he says.

Proper planning of LRT stations is important for reasons such as prevention of crime, adds Chan, who hopes the stations will be able to optimise their retail potential, as seen in the KLCC station.
“The LRT has benefited both commuters and the property market while reducing traffic congestion. The extension is a long overdue project that should have been undertaken many years ago, he adds.

Generally positive
Property consultants are also generally positive about the LRT line extension. They play down problems like traffic congestion, noise pollution and even double-parking, saying that the pros outweigh the cons.
Khong & Jaafar Sdn Bhd managing director Elvin Fernandez says such inconveniences are unavoidable while the extension will benefit a larger group of people. In Subang Jaya for example, he says, the project will further enhance its growth as a hub for education, tourism and medical facilities. He hopes the lines will soon be extended to areas like Klang, Cheras and Kajang.

Most of the proposed new LRT stations are within housing areas like Bandar Kinrara, Taman Wawasan in Puchong, Puchong Perdana, Taman Puchong Prima, Subang Jaya and USJ. They are also close to several national schools in USJ.

Naturally, shopping destinations like Giant Kinrara, Jusco Bandar Puchong (IOI Mall), Tesco Puchong, Giant Puchong, Cold Storage (Subang Parade) and The Summit Subang are poised to benefit from the extension.

SPNB group managing director Datuk Idrose Mohamed has reportedly said that more details on the proposed new line to link Kota Damansara and Cheras will be revealed this month.

The Kota Damansara-Cheras line is expected to stretch about 50km, longer than the 45km that had been reported earlier. There will also be an underground portion that is said to run about 10km, but could eventually be longer.

In another development, several community representatives in Subang Jaya have reportedly formed an ad-hoc action group to address concerns related to the proposed Kelana Jaya LRT line extension into Subang Jaya.

They will gather feedback from residents and those working in the Subang Jaya, USJ and Bandar Sunway communities. Based on these, recommendations will be submitted to the Department of Railways and SPNB.

SPNB has projected that the capacity of the Kelana Jaya extended line will expand to 400,000. Currently, there are about 350,000 people using the lines — 180,000 for the Kelana Jaya line and the rest for the Ampang line.

The proposed extension of the LRT reach will benefit commuters but owners of property in their vicinity may or may not immediately strike gold.

[rizalhakim]

Residents object to proposed LRT route
2009/12/31


SHAH ALAM: Residents of Putra Heights, Subang Alam and Taman Bunga have voiced their objections to the proposed Kelana Jaya light-rail transit (LRT) extension line which will be built at the back of their homes.

The route will be situated along power lines in between their houses and a lake. Over 1,000 homes and five schools in the area are located close to the proposed line.

The residents claimed that many of their backyards would be less than 50 metres away from the LRT line if the plan was implemented.

There are also concerns that the lake will be affected, causing floods and landslide.


The initial Subang Jaya draft local plan showed that the LRT line ends in USJ 17 and the Ampang line ends in Taman Perindustrian Puchong. The elite neighbourhoods are nowhere near the LRT route extension.

The residents claimed that Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd (Prasarana) had proceeded with the LRT route master plan without consulting state government agencies including the local councils and the Selangor Town and Rural Planning Department.

They claimed that Prasarana had also rejected the alternative route for the Kelana Jaya line extension proposed by the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) which is said to cost a whopping RM500 million for an additional 2.1km.

"I want Prasarana to show why it costs RM500 million to implement the MBSA's plan," said Member of Parliament for Kota Raja, Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud, who is taking up the the residents' case.

The residents claimed that Prasarana's route would be passing through a high-end neighbourhood instead of benefiting a high-density area. -- By Rizuwan Zaini

[nazrey]

Four-car LRT train for new routes
Pauline Almeida Tuesday, January 5th, 2010 13:01:00
http://www.mmail.com.my/content/2377...ain-new-routes

PETALING JAYA: Syarikat Prasarana Negara Berhad (Prasarana) will be using its new four-car train for the Light Rail Transit (LRT) system on its Subang and Puchong extension route.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said this during the RapidKL's LRT inspection ceremony of the new trains for the Kelana Jaya line this morning.

Asked if there is a possibility of Prasarana extending its line to Shah Alam, the minister said the focus for now is on its Subang, Puchong and Ampang lines.

Currently, only four of the 35 four-car train coaches are running while the rest are expected to be utilised by 2011. The new sets of train and the upgrading cost stand at RM1.5 billion.

It can carry 800 passengers, twice the number of the existing two-car trains, and will be used during the morning and evening peak periods while the two-car trains will be employed during off-peak periods.

The new trains also have wheelchair-friendly features and door alarm lights to help the hearing-impaired.

Prasarana is the operator of the public transport network that includes the Ampang and Kelana Jaya LRT lines, KL monorail and bus service in the Klang Valley.

The four-car train sets are the latest version of the Bombardier advanced rapid transit driverless train designed in Canada, 65 per cent of which is assembled in Mexico and 35 per cent in Malaysia. With the additional train, Prasarana will have a total of 70 sets, including 35 sets of the current two-set trains.

[cullen]

1st. Urban train should not go through residential area. so the complaints somehow acceptable.

2nd. Best for LRT route to follow line with existing freeways/roads with stations at major business hub. not in front of someone's house.

3rd. Try best not to involve land acquisition as it may delay the project. so, no other option than to follow existing roads.

4th. Stop that 'public consultation' as most public don't really understand what they are talking about. Leave it to professionals.

2 cents....

[dengilo]

[QUOTE=cullen;49605417]1st. Urban train should not go through residential area. so the complaints somehow acceptable.

Yes and No to that!It just defeats the idea of providing such services to the suburbs then,when the true intention is really for the people to leave their cars at home and being able to walk or cycle to the nearest station.This not in my backyard thing is nothing new.

[project aliciel]

Originally Posted by cullen

1st. Urban train should not go through residential area. so the complaints somehow acceptable.

2nd. Best for LRT route to follow line with existing freeways/roads with stations at major business hub. not in front of someone's house.

3rd. Try best not to involve land acquisition as it may delay the project. so, no other option than to follow existing roads.

4th. Stop that 'public consultation' as most public don't really understand what they are talking about. Leave it to professionals.

2 cents....

train must go through residential area if there is no other option. for example, if government going to give taman len sen and taman bukit anggerik (both in cheras) lrt service, the train must go through the residential area, if the train follow the cheras-kajang expressway, it will be not convenient to the residents, and they will fail as our first lrt project - for example sri petaling station is far away from bandar baru sri petaling, the station is underused.

land acquisition must be done sometimes. i'm a utilitarian, i think government make decision according to the benefit of the most people, and sacrifice sometimes is unavoidable

the problem of urban train going through residential area is caused by improper urban planning. for example the residential parks around 6th mile - 7th mile or jalan cheras, the main road enter those residential area become hyper-overcapacity, and the people of the area needs LRT coverage badly, it can't be helped but build the railway line through the residential area.

another option to solve the problem is build the line wholly underground. but malaysian government unable to afford such huge project. build the line wholly underground is extremely costly - Singaporean Northeast MRT Line construction cost is 4.6 billion SGD, and the people have to pay expensive fares for it. If the lrt extension is going underground, the construction cost will not be just 10 billion MYR but can raise untill 20 billion MYR, the people have to pay 3 times more to compensate the high construction cost.

no news I heard for kota damansara-cheras line lately, if the 42km line going to build wholly underground, the cost will be at least 30 billion MYR, malaysia will surely going bankrupt.

[project aliciel]

Originally Posted by tunomura

2) Feeder bus - In Prasarana's proposed line extension planning, there is no planned route for feeder buses. This is the key factor of how the station can be fully utilized. Even the station is build far from the residential, by having connected with bus that covered all area, it can solve parking problem and "manja" Malaysian no need to start their car.

I suggest use Toyota Coaster for feeder bus. there are too much of "huge" buses around KL. when I drive through the city center, I have "bus panic". Toyota Coaster can be driven by LPG instead of petrol, and it is environment friendly.

I look like a sales executive of Toyota...

[cullen]

go through residential area without annoying people living there with their noise, is definitely ok.

our MRT or LRT is not underground. if underground, people never care if they go through even under your house...

but as to avoid disturbance, better to place LRT where noise is already exist, the business point! or...the place where shouhouse are there...or whatever you want to call the area.

[mrtfreak]

Commercial districts. But who would ride the trains if they simply linked one commercial district to another? There needs to be a stable catchment such as a residential area to supply the demand.

Just to clarify about the North East Line, its fares are indeed higher than the older lines which have above ground portions, but they are not exorbitant either. The main cost is firstly due to construction costs being higher and secondly due to higher operational costs too. Building above ground negates the need for ventilation systems that need to be in place for an underground system. And then there's things like air-conditioned stations and platform screen doors....

[allurban]

Originally Posted by cullen

3rd. Try best not to involve land acquisition as it may delay the project. so, no other option than to follow existing roads.

4th. Stop that 'public consultation' as most public don't really understand what they are talking about. Leave it to professionals.

2 cents....

3rd, in addition to roads they also follow TNB electric power lines and river allowances.

4th ... that isnt public 'consultation' since the 'professionals' have their own agenda and arent really interested in listening anyways. What we have is public 'briefing' as a token activity.

Real public consultation would get more people who really understand what they are talking about.

my 2sen

Cheers, m

[project aliciel]

Singapore have enough demand to overcome the (NEL) construction cost, so it won't be exorbitant, even some Singaporeans claims it as a "white elephant".

If NEL costs 230 million SGD = approx. 501 million MYR (rates of 2003) in Singapore, it may cost 1 billion MYR or even higher in Malaysia. Like last time, where I heard the rumors about the North-South Expressway, the initial cost approximation is 3.5 billion, and increased nealy double upon its completion. I wonder what is the problem.

some people protest for the sake of protest, and can just be ignored. As my home in Cheras, the LRT is just behind the residential area we lived, but we do not against it because even the noise is annoying, they annoys during day, we work at day and rests at night, and the LRT is not frequent in the night, and the service stops after 11pm. Secondly, the LRT station is nearby, and it is very convenient for us to take public transport to work. But there are only a reason to against it is the poor planning of viaducts - that caused the slum opposite the residential park i live suffers for flood.

But if government wants to reduce the noise produced by LRT, they can consider use rubber-tires for new rolling stock of Sri Petaling Line, and new Kota Damansara-Cheras Line. The Sri Petaling Line trains... is very noisy. New rolling stock should not use the proprietary technology as Kelana Jaya Line done.

[lohxy]

In the city center there is a hospital close to the line. I can feel the sound like earthquake is coming when I visit my uncle there.
Noisy sri petaling line + noisy LDP .

[tunomura]

rubber tire maybe is too expensive to maintain. The best solution is to use ceramic alloy wheel..I think so.

For temporary solution, just push Prasarana to install noise barriers..