Subang Jaya council to upgrade bus stops, walkways

THE Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) will proceed with upgrading bus stops and pedestrian walkways within the city, following a directive from the Transport Ministry last week.

In a statement to StarMetro, MBSJ’s Corporate and Strategic Management Department said the upgrades would be coordinated by the Local Government Development Ministry (KPKT).

“A proposal to upgrade 38 bus stops and three pedestrian walkways has been approved,” the statement read.

On Nov 14, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, during his speech at the symposium on “Women’s Safety in Transit and Transport Industry” at Bandar Sunway, had said seven local councils in the Klang Valley had been instructed to identify bus stations and sidewalks leading to train stations that needed urgent upgrades.

Loke said the instructions were made at the recent Cabinet meeting, where there was a consensus that public transport infrastructure issues needed more attention at the local council level.

He had said issues of user safety and comfort needed to be addressed if the government wanted more people to use public transportation.

Loke added that at least 100 bus stations were expected to be renovated or built next year, in addition to improvements to pavements leading to all train stations.

StarMetro contacted other major councils in the Klang Valley but most had not replied by press time.

Tharshini Skovalan, 23, of Bandar Tasik Permaisuri, said she usually opted for the longer route to the bus stop due to safety concerns.

“I rely on the GoKL free city bus for my daily commute but the area leading to the bus stop is so poorly lit that safety concerns make me anxious.

“Taking the longer route to the bus stop allows me to have a clearer view of the vehicles and people passing by.

“I am glad the authorities are finally aware of the issues that pedestrians face on a daily basis and are taking measures to resolve them.”

A resident from Palm Spring condominium, Petaling Jaya, who wanted to be known only as Cally, 26, voiced her concerns over the unsafe pedestrian walkway to the Surian MRT station.

She said there was a slope leading to the walkway to the station that was hazardous.

“The area lacks a proper walkway and sufficient lighting, making it scary to walk on rainy days to the station,” said Cally, who works as a data analyst in Kuala Lumpur.

“A path for pedestrians is available but only in the vicinity of the MRT station.

“I hope the authorities do something about it before someone using these facilities gets hurt.”