PETALING JAYA, May 14 — Commuters of the Sungai Buloh-Kajang (SBK) mass rapid transit (MRT) line can now look forward to easy access to the commercial hub in Kota Damansara, as one of its stations is now linked to Sunway Nexis commercial development.
MRT Corp deputy general manager Leong Shen Li said the link-bridge between the MRT Surian station and Sunway Nexis will benefit the public greatly as commuters can reach their destination without having to brave rain or shine or cross busy roads.
He said Sunway Nexis was the first of at least 12 link-bridges that would connect private developments with MRT stations.
“Private developers have embraced agreements with MRT Corp by building these bridges,” Leong said at the opening of the Surian station, Sunway Nexis link-bridge at Kota Damansara yesterday.
“Such link-bridges will encourage more people to use the MRT due to increased connectivity.”
Among those present were Malay Mail editor-in-chief and managing director of Titanium Compass Datuk Wong Sai Wan, MRT Corp project manager 1 Asnan Ayob, Sunway Bhd managing director property development division Malaysia and Singapore Sarena Cheah, Kechara Soup Kitchen president Datuk Ruby Khong, Sunway Group exco member Puan Sri Susan Cheah, MRT Corp deputy general director strategic communications Leong Shen Li, Tunku Maziah Tunku Mukhtar, Caring Moms Facebook group co-founder Shera A. Bosco, Idrogen Sdn Bhd general manager Sue Shiew and JMB Sunway Nexis chairman Goh Hai Thun.
Leong said the single-level bridge provides universal access that is not only disabled-friendly but would also cater to the elderly and passengers with baby strollers
and luggage.
Though he said the ridership of Phase 1 of the SBK line was not high, it had garnered close to two million users since its opening on Dec 16 last year and is expected to increase when Phase 2 opens in July.
“Everything is on schedule for the opening of Phase 2,” said Leong.
Sunway PKNS project director Azly Sham said the link-bridge will create a convenient and comfortable access for commuters to the commercial property.
He said the private developer intends to do more with the connectivity, including foreseeing Sunway Nexis and Giza to become a “park and ride” hub for MRT passengers.
“When Phase 2 opens, the public can park here and take the direct link to the MRT Surian station and have satay Kajang Haji Samuri without having to drive there,” said Azly.
MRT Corp had previously announced that link-bridges connecting private buildings to the MRT stations would be constructed by private property owners, and a number of agreements had been signed for the construction of the connections.
Among the link-bridges to be built are at Kampung Selamat station and D’Sara Sentral and SqWhere, between Mutiara Damansara station and Surian Tower, and between Bandar Utama station with several neighbouring properties, including 1Utama and 1Powerhouse.
The stations along the 23km line are at Sungai Buloh, Kampung Selamat, Kwasa Damansara, Kwasa Sentral, Kota Damansara, Surian, Mutiara Damansara, Bandar Utama, Taman Tun Datuk Ismail, Phileo, Pusat Bandar Damansara and Semantan.
The second phase of the project from Semantan to Kajang will be operational in July.
The construction of the 51km SBK Line, including a 9.5km underground stretch, was launched on July 8, 2011.
It will have 31 stations, including seven underground stations.
