Community reps bond together over proposed LRT lines

TRANSIT takes note of this article in the Star Metro, regarding a press conference held by the Ad-Hoc Committee for the LRT Extension to Subang Jaya.

Community reps bond together over proposed LRT lines (The Star)
Monday November 16, 2009
By JADE CHAN

SEVERAL community representatives have taken the initiative to form an ad-hoc action group to address various concerns regarding the proposed Kelana Jaya LRT line extension into Subang Jaya.

The group encompasses the Residents Committee (JKP) Zones 1-3, Subang Jaya Residents Associa-tion (SJRA), USJ Residents Association (USJRA), Bandar Sunway Residents Association (BSRA), SJ Alert and Association for the Improvement of Mass-Transit (Transit).

Its members set up the lrttosubangjaya.blogspot.com website, where information on the proposed project has been posted.

They aim to gather feedback/comments from those residing or working in the Subang Jaya, USJ and Bandar Sunway communities via feedback forms to help the group prepare the necessary submissions and/or new recommendations to the Department of Railways and Syarikat Prasarana Negara Berhad.

Subang Jaya assemblyman Hannah Yeoh said the group was formed to create greater awareness on the project and to get the local community to submit their feedback. “We’re disappointed that the relevant authorities have not done enough to create awareness about the project.”

“The initial feedback that we got from the public is that there is insufficient information, which was why the website and feedback form was created last month.

“The group also put up banners at the proposed seven stations in Subang Jaya a couple of weeks ago,” she added.

USJRA secretary Eileen Cheah said seven banners have been placed at the proposed station locations and eight at high-traffic areas, while 5,000 forms have been printed.

Transit adviser Moaz Yusuf Ahmad said: “The guest book placed at the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) office lobby does not provide enough space for the public to write their feedback, while there is no indication that e-mails would be considered as official feedback.

“People are concerned about the placement of the stations, and the project’s social and environmental impact in terms of noise pollution, construction method and parking facilities.

“There are also concerns that the proposed LRT line extension plan differs from the state government’s structural plan,” he said.

PJS 9 Rukun Tetangga chairman Goh Hai Thun said Bandar Sunway residents feel sidelined as the line does not pass through their township.

“There is a big population in Bandar Sunway, as well as three universities and a shopping mall. We hope that Prasarana will include a spin-off route or do something to include Bandar Sunway,” he said.

Moaz pointed out the lack of coordination between the different ministries and agencies that are involved in transport planning, and the lack of accessibility to information on the project.

Noting that the proposed LRT line and four stations would be parallel to Persiaran Kewajipan, Yeoh expressed hope that the Public Works Department (JKR) and Transport Ministry would work closely to ensure that the project does not clash with a possible extension of the Subang-Kelana Link, which presently ends at the Persiaran Kewajipan/ Kesas Highway intersection.

TRANSIT Says:

There is still time for the public to give feedback on the LRT extensions. Forms are available at this link and can be submitted to the Department of Railways up to December 14.

TRANSIT recommends submitting official paper forms rather than using the email address provided for feedback.

Department of Railways
13th Floor, Menara Dayabumi
Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin
50050, KUALA LUMPUR
Tel: 03-2278-1222
Fax: 03-2272-1900