The Star Online: Metro: Central
The Star Online: Metro: Central |
| Commuters have difficulty navigating KL Sentral’s haphazard layout Posted: 03 Apr 2013 04:17 AM PDT DESPITE being Klang Valley's biggest and busiest transportation hub, KL Sentral is plagued with a host of problems. The 13-year-old building's general layout is flawed as its main concourse area is dotted with bric-a-brac stalls selling shawls, handbags, beauty products, assorted accessories and Internet services. The stalls take up a considerable amount of floor space in the middle of the concourse as well as on level one. Because of this, hundreds of commuters are forced to weave their way through the stalls and crowds to get to their respective destinations. It does not help that long lines forming at the ATM machines and train ticketing counters on both sides of the concourse are blocking the way. Aside from persistent salesmen, commuters have to concern themselves with pickpockets who can easily move around without being noticed. Suzieana Abd Manan, 21, who commutes from work daily at the station, said the stalls were contributing to unnecessary congestion. "When I exit the KTM station to get to the monorail station opposite the hub, it is difficult and uncomfortable to make my way there. "People are bumping into each other as they have very little space to walk," she said. Meanwhile, the narrow hallways leading towards the KLIA Express are unable to cope with the crowd, especially those with large trolley bags. Also, the hallways leading to the surau and shower rooms are not well-lit. Most signage is outdated as it points to facilities which no longer exist, causing confusion, especially among tourists. For example, the signage that leads to the library on level one. Upon checking, the library was no longer there and the room had been converted into an office. Also, some of the toilets, which the public pay 40sen to use, are in need of repairs, as pipes are leaking and faucets broken. Over at the KTM platform Gate A, workers are found sleeping on the platform. Empty public phone booths here are an eyesore, too. Other complaints include poor ventilation and air-conditioning inside the terminal, which the public perceived as a lackadaisical attitude from the management. Brickfields resident S.K.K Naidu said shuttle buses to LCCT and Genting Highlands parked along the main road in Brickfields were adding to traffic congestion in the area. It was recently reported that MRCB will be completing at least six properties near KL Sentral. Last year, The Star reported MRCB property division marketing director Zamry Ibrahim as saying that the projects would comprise office buildings, serviced apartments, retail mall and a hotel. Stakeholders in Brickfields believed that once these projects are completed, congestion in the area will increase unless the authorities find ways to resolve the problem. Related Stories: |
| Semasa carrying out upgrade works at KL Sentral Posted: 03 Apr 2013 04:13 AM PDT Semasa Sentral Sdn Bhd (SSSB), the manager of KL Sentral and a subsidiary of Malaysian Resources Corporation Berhad (MRCB), announced that it is currently refurbishing and upgrading the hub in stages. While upgrading works are ongoing, SSSB has dismantled temporary bazaar stalls on level one, carried out rectification work at the under-deck as well as landscaping and beautification works in and around the station. Other upgrades included the improved VIP lounge on level one and free toilet facilities at selected areas. Under the ongoing works, Semasa will be upgrading the station's food court, resurfacing flooring, construction of a pedestrian bridge, a new lift, escalator and reinforced concrete stairs from Nu Sentral Retail Mall (under construction). Work is expected to be completed by the end of this year. Moreover, Semasa also continues to offer free transport services for the handicapped and the elderly who are unable to walk up from the lower ground to ground level. The plan includes the increase of up to 30 auxillary police patrolling the station by the end of May. Currently, there are 170 of them on duty at KL Sentral, including support personnel. They are on foot patrol around the station's perimeter, complementing plainclothes policemen on duty. There are also CCTV cameras covering 90% of the floor area. For details, call 013-330 0077 / 03-2773 8898. Related Stories: |
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