Overused transport hub KL Sentral to be upgraded in long-term plan, says Dr Wee

KUALA LUMPUR: KL Sentral has exceeded its passenger capacity of 100,000 a day, handling over 200,000 passengers a day prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

The Transport Minister said because of this, the heavily-used transport hub will be upgraded in a long-term plan to handle the increasing passenger volume.

“Following a year of the pandemic and the recovery in stages, we have about 70,000 footfalls a day now. When the pandemic is over we have to face the reality of going over the limit.

“The ministry is planning and working on creating more tracks and services to handle more passengers and enhance convenience.

“With the ministry spearheading this, we are in talks with many parties on a comprehensive plan for the longer term, how can we integrate all these needs into a holistic project, ” he said after a ceremony commemorating the 20th anniversary of Stesen Sentral Kuala Lumpur at KL Sentral here on Friday (April 16).

Also present were MRCB executive president Datuk Dell Akbar Khan, KTMB chief technical officer Ahmad Nizam Mohamed, Rapid Rail CEO Abdul Hadi Amran, ERL CEO Noormah Mohd Nor and Yayasan MRCB chairperson Datin Jasmine Abdullah Heng.

Dr Wee noted that while the planning and studies on upgrading KL Sentral have begun, the authorities are not in a hurry to upgrade it.

“There are some restrictions as it involves track areas, while there is a population of over 100,000 in the nearby area.

“All this needs to be factored in and deliberated one by one, ” he added.

Earlier, Dr Wee presented RM100,000 in cash and kind from Yayasan MRCB to some 500 recipients from the B40 group, including the visually impaired, in conjunction with KL Sentral’s 20th anniversary.

The recipients were from Yayasan Orang Buta Malaysia, PPR Lembah Pantai, Lighthouse Children Welfare Home Association KL & Selangor, and Pertubuhan Kebajikan Baitul Hasan Kuala Lumpur.