Wednesday, July 25, 2012

MRT Sg Buloh - Kajang station view

Underground station

Upon completion, the underground stations that will line the MRT Sungai Buloh – Kajang alignment will be world-class metro facilities that will not only be functional, but also aesthetic in design. The stations will employ green technology to boost energy efficiency and a number of features that will provide access to the disabled. These facilities include among others:

- Ticket gates wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs.

- Elevators from the ground level to the concourse and platforms.

- Braille markings on lift control buttons.

- Step-free access drop off points.

Wheelchair user can navigate easily at station.

KL Sentral MRT station

Each station will also serve as information centres for the MRT, and will provide information on the various lines, interchanges and transfer points. Interchange stations will clearly mark out the route for transfer passengers to enable commuters to change trains seamlessly.

Merdeka MRT station


Each station will also be given a unique identity to best reflect the relevant historical theme or activity of the location. The stations will also feature artwork by local artists as part of the “Art Express Programme”, where a panel of qualified people will select and commission appropriate artwork for each station.

Bukit Bintang Central MRT station

Best-in-class safety systems will also be employed to ensure that any emergencies that may arise during the course of the stations' operation will be quickly and efficiently handled. The stations will feature an automatic fire and sprinkler system, as well as public address systems in the event of the need for passenger evacuation.



It is also important to keep in mind that the MRT will not be a transit system in isolation. By design, the MRT will integrate with existing LRT and monorail lines to create an integrated transportation system within the Klang Valley.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

BB Plaza not demolished

After some intense lobbying from affected parties and political pressure, MRT Corporation Sdn Bhd gave in and decided not to acquire BB Plaza and Bangunan Yayasan Selangor, both owned by UDA Holdings Berhad.

Landmark: The iconic 38-year-old BB Plaza, located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, will be demolished to make way for the MRT project.

As what required earlier, Bukit Bintang Central station will be right under current BB Plaza. Thus it is mandatory to demolish the once iconic building in Golden Triangle.

This is so wrong in the sense that MRT Corp has revised the station design to avoid having direct integration with BB Plaza.

However, the revised design allows for integration to take place later, if and when BB Plaza is re-developed in the future.

From the press release by MRT Corp, the following businesses located outside BB Plaza will make way for the work:

a) Gloria Jeans’ Coffees
b) Hot & Roll
c) Starbucks Coffee (seating area only)
d) MADO Ice Cream (Yayasan Selangor’s tenant)

Note: They agreed to move out and have until this Sunday to do so

The Gloria Jean’s Coffees outlet was closed.

Five tenants occupying the sidewalk cafes have until Sunday to move out of the Bukit Bintang Plaza in Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur. Pic by Nik Hariff Hassan

The standalone Bukit Bintang Central Station will be only accessible from the ground level in front of BB Plaza.

Wouldn't that has defeated the purpose of building and integration of Bukit Bintang Central station?

KVMRT is very disappointed with the attitude of MRT Corp who always cave in to unnecessary demands by certain parties.

Let us hope no more changing of station designs in future as it is claimed to be best optimal route and point of catchment.