Connecting The People Of Greater Kuala Lumpur

The railway revolution is about to hit Malaysia

Increasingly Light Rail Transit (LRT) is seen as an appropriate solution for transportation challenges and heavy traffic faced by suburban residents of suburbs. The convenience to access LRT, in turn changes the strategy for urban planners. With more routes set to be launched in the upcoming months; it will change the face of urban transportation in Klang Valley.

With four new stations at Awan Besar, Muhibbah, Alam Sutera and Kinrara BK5 operating since October 2015. I decided to give public transportation a try and to experience what nearly 200,000 passengers experience using the LRT.

My mission was to understand how the extension of Ampang LRT line affects the people living in the suburbs of Puchong. Previously only accessible by the numerous highways connecting Puchong, the options for those residing in Puchong have always been busses and cabs. When I got myself to Kinrara BK 5 Station, I saw large number of commuters mostly in formal wear heading to work. The parking bays were filling up quickly – there were some who parked their cars at the nearby Giant Hypermarket as well.

According to Dato’ Ir Zohari Sulaiman, CEO of Prasarana Rail and Infrastructure Projects Sdn Bhd – who is managing the LRT Line Extension Project, “Upon full completion of the LEP project, the extended Ampang Line – which runs from Sri Petaling to Putra Heights, will provide an additional 130,000 passengers daily.”

The spin-off business opportunities are enormous. And investors should not discount the Rail Revolution effect and the many opportunities it comes with. With more people trying to find affordable housing in the outskirts of the city; LRT connectivity is something which connects everyone to Greater Kuala Lumpur.

According to Dr Daniele Gambero, the impact of the Ampang LRT extension is clearly visible. The number of high-rise developments along the KESAS Highway is a testament to spin-off effects of the Ampang LRT extension. He further added that the impact of the LRT extension would reduce traffic congestion around residential areas.

Housing prices around Puchong and Putra Heights have seen an increase; a key signal property hotspots along LRT lines are indeed the way to invest. Connection is key for urbanites and with the operation of the extensions; opportunities galore for investors and home owners.

The CEO of Ho Chin Soon Research Sdn Bhd, Ishmael Ho also opined that “With the recent opening of the four stations of the Ampang LRT extension, investors are now able to see how rail-based infrastructures can bring potential to a locality. Investors who positioned themselves when the LRT extension was announced will be reaping the benefits soon.”

We can positively predict that the construction of the LRT will connect urban areas and will serve as a magnet to spur new housing development. Connectivity is key for urbanites to gather opportunity; with strong governmental efforts in continuously improving the urban transportation landscape, citizens can feel secure that they can be connected from anywhere within Greater Kuala Lumpur.