Public can give feedback on MRT line from tomorrow

MRT Corp CEO Datuk Seri Shahril Mokhtar hopes the public will give their input on the proposed alignment. – Pic supplied, May 14, 2015.

Members of the public will be able to give their input on the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Sungai Buloh-Serdang-Putrajaya Line (SSP Line) when the public inspection (PI) starts tomorrow.

A statement from Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) said the PI, which would run until August 17, was part of the requirement of the Land Public Transport Act 2010.

MRT Corp CEO, Datuk Seri Shahril Mokhtar hoped the PI would be well received by the public.

“The main purpose of this PI is to provide a platform for the public to give feedback on the proposed alignment. The PI displays will educate the public about the project and it also serves as an avenue for the public to provide feedback on the proposed alignment for SSP Line.

“I am hoping that Klang Valley residents, especially those living or working along the proposed alignment, will give their say," said Shahril.

The PI, which has commonly been referred to as a public display, is a requirement under Section 84 of the Land Public Transport Act 2010, whereby MRT Corp is required to deposit plans, sections and a book of reference related to the SSP Line with the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD).

SPAD will then display these materials for public inspection for the purpose of obtaining feedback from the public.

MRT Corp and their project delivery partner for the SSP Line, MMC-Gamuda KVMRT (PDP SSP) Sdn Bhd, will also be holding a roadshow at 23 other locations throughout the next three months, the statement said.

The roadshow, where information regarding the SPP Line will be displayed, will be carried out at high traffic areas that include local councils, shopping malls, community halls and a hospital.

“We need to ensure that we are accessible to as many people as possible, so we have identified other high traffic locations for the roadshow. Depending on the availability of space and the volume of foot traffic, the roadshow at shopping malls will last between six and 13 days”, explained Shahril.

The PI booths at all locations will feature information including satellite image of planned alignment of the 52.2km line and locations of the 36 stations. Other project information such as typical station features and layout, land acquisition plans, railway transit technical data and project construction details will be displayed during this three-month period, the statement said.

MRT Corp is also enabling access to the displays via their website, throughout the period.

Shahril said that MRT Corp and the PDP have already started engaging stakeholders. He said the early start would be beneficial to the project.

“We needed to know what the feeling on the ground is. This will enable MRT Corp and PDP to address the issues as early as possible.

“In fact, by the end of January, more than 1,500 respondents had already been engaged through a perception survey. We have also held focus group discussions (FGDs) which included case interviews and public dialogues at different locations addressing a wide range of stakeholders such as local communities, non-governmental organisation, businesses and government agencies.

“These sessions allow us to better address stakeholder issues and public perception of the SSP line, while ensuring project information is communicated and understood”, explained Shahril.

A total of 33 engagement sessions were covered under FGDs and about 40 engagements which involve face-to-face discussions with Members of Parliament, state assemblymen, local councillors and the public relations department of local authorities have been planned until August this year.

Shahril said he was pleased with the launch of the PI as it brought the Klang Valley closer to having urban rail as the backbone of its public transportation system.

“The population of Klang Valley is projected to grow to 10 million people by 2020. If we keep being dependent on private vehicles, we will see the current traffic gridlock becoming even worse.

“The MRT will be a viable and sustainable public transport alternative for this region, especially at peak hours. The SSP Line is projected to carry 529,000 passengers in year 2022, and could potentially carry up to 1.2 million passengers in the year 2052," said Shahril.

The proposed SSP Line is the second of the three intended MRT lines that will complete Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit (KVMRT) Project.

The planned interconnectivity with existing KTM Komuter LRT, KL Monorail and ERL Transit lines, as well as the Sungai Buloh Kajang Line, will enable residents of the region to have greater urban rail mobility than ever before.

The SSP Line will also integrate with future rail lines such as the High Speed Rail, Putrajaya Monorail and MRT Line 3.

- TMI