SHAH ALAM, Sept 9 — Public transport must go beyond rail services and consider the need for safe, comfortable and connected pedestrian routes to ensure seamless commutes, said state executive councillor for investment, trade and mobility Ng Sze Han.
He said this was among the focuses of a walking audit around the Shah Alam city centre on Monday, involving the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA), Selangor State Economic Planning Unit (UPEN), and Town and Country Planning Department (PLANMalaysia).
“Yesterday, I tried the LRT3 Shah Alam Line service from the Dato’ Menteri station before the walking audit.
“Public transport development is not just about ensuring the train reaches the station. The user’s journey needs to continue with pedestrian routes that are safe, comfortable, connected and easily accessible until (they) reach the(ir) destination,” he said in a Facebook post last night.
He added that the audit involved observing routes from Dato’ Menteri station, including the planned 3km roofed walkway linking the station to Aneka Walk, SACC Mall, the Shah Alam city centre, and the State Secretariat Building.
The audit included observations on how micromobility vehicles such as e-scooters, and bicycle parking, could complement commuters’ first- and last-mile journeys.
“This is just the beginning. There will be more walking audits around Selangor. Together, we strive to create a Selangor that is safe for pedestrians,” Ng said.
LRT3, which spans over 37km and links Bandar Utama in Petaling Jaya with Johan Setia in Klang, started operating on June 29, but was soon criticised online by social media users due to inadequate footpaths.
On July 1, state executive councillor for local government and tourism Dato’ Ng Suee Lim ordered Prasarana Malaysia Bhd and developers concerned to urgently finish outstanding pedestrian infrastructure works.
Prasarana was given two months to complete works at the Dato’ Menteri station, whose lack of pedestrian links went viral on social media.
