Many using free-ride period to try out service

Spotting landmarks: Eight-year-old sisters Nur Nadi and Nur Nana having fun pointing out landmarks from an MRT train. The first day of the service between Sg Buloh and Semantan saw many passengers enjoying free rides. See reports on Pages 2, 3, 24 and Metro — ART CHEN/The Star

PETALING JAYA: People trying out the Klang Valley MRT service on its first day of operations were impressed by the sophisticated trains and smooth connections between routes. At the Sg Buloh station, passengers of all ages, including families and tourists, were spotted checking out the facilities, such as ticketing machines and route maps.

Customer service representatives were on hand to assist them and to usher them through the turnstiles.

Starting yesterday, commuters enjoy one month of free rides on the MRT.

Pensioner Samsudin Mokhari, 69, said he planned to disembark at each of the 12 stations to check out the nearby attractions because he wanted to make full use of the free-service period.

He was impressed by the MRT’s technology and safety features.

“Unlike with the LRT, MRT stations have an extra ‘outer door’ that prevents anyone waiting for the train to accidentally fall onto the track, which is a feature I like very much,” said Samsudin who lives in Kota Damansara.

A tourist from Hong Kong, who wanted to be identified only as Lily, said she was very impressed with the service, which she decided to experience after hearing about its opening yesterday.

“It’s very modern and so unlike in Hong Kong where public transport is so crowded.

“Here, I can relax and enjoy the scenery from the train window,” she said.

University student Avyinaeesh Sitsabasan, 21, not only took the train for fun but to also try out the service and route for his mother.

“She drives to work in Mutiara Damansara.

“But now she’s older, I think the MRT would be better and easier for her,” he said.

Consultant Zain Azlan Khalid, 40, said he decided to take his family to ride the trains on his day off.

“I work at KLCC. Carpark charges are so expensive in the city. The MRT, when it connects to KL next year, will really help me save cost,” he said.

Also, the staff at some shops in several stations said they were optimistic about doing brisk business once more people start taking the MRT.

Noor Haslina Ismail, who works in Nora’s Delight bakery at the Sungai Buloh station, said she was thankful the shop had opened there and at the Kota Damansara station.

“We thought it would be a slow first day but we’ve already run out of egg tarts and chicken floss buns, so I am very happy,” she said.