PETALING JAYA: Members of the media were given an exclusive preview ride on the LRT Shah Alam Line to experience the new service ahead of its opening.
The journey took the group from Stadium Shah Alam station to the last station, Johan Setia in Klang, before heading back to Glenmarie 2 and returning to Stadium Shah Alam.
The three-car trains delivered a generally smooth ride, although the screeching of wheels against the rails was noticeable when negotiating the curves between Pasar Klang and Seksyen 7.
At the pinch points, train speeds dropped to below 30kph, offering passengers more time to soak in the sight.
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Crowding is expected at Glenmarie 2, a transfer station interchange with the Kelana Jaya Line, as cash-paying passengers must buy separate tickets to continue their journey on the other line. Another transfer station is Bandar Utama, linking the MRT Kajang line.
In other words, there is currently no way to buy a Shah Alam Line ticket elsewhere within the Rapid Rail network unless passengers are already at one of its stations.
The same applies in reverse when transferring from the Shah Alam Line to another rail service, creating a potential bottleneck, which can be critical if commuters are rushing to catch the last train.
It is also interesting to note that paper tickets printed with QR are back in use for cash-paying users.
Prasarana, which has decided to do away with the round plastic tokens that are used in other lines, said the paper tickets are a temporary measure until an open payment system is introduced.
The QR code on the printed paper tickets works pretty well, even after the paper ticket became slightly damp from perspiration and slightly crumpled after being stuffed in my pocket.
The lack of ticketing integration between the Shah Alam Line and the Kelana Jaya and Kajang lines means transfers will be a hassle for those who rely on cash, though it is a bit more bearable for those using cashless methods.
The absence of a fully integrated back-end ticketing system also means holders of travel passes such as My50 must tap in and out repeatedly when changing lines.
Life is especially difficult for wheelchair users transferring between the lines at Glenmarie 2 as they face an added challenge – they must use video doorbells to summon assistance to use the lifts.
The arrangement is intended to prevent able-bodied fare evaders from taking advantage of the current arrangement.
While acknowledging there is no simple solution for the interchange, Prasarana said sufficient staff would be deployed to the station to also assist wheelchair users, senior citizens, passengers with limited mobility and those travelling with prams until the integrated ticketing system is operational.
With an interval of at least eight minutes to nearly 14 minutes, sweating when you arrive on the platform will be quite likely as the stations are naturally ventilated, with the only cooling coming from rows of small household wall fans (no giant fans suspended from the ceilings).
The line does not have platform screen doors to prevent track intrusions, but relies on the Platform Intrusion Emergency Stop system, like the one on the Kelana Jaya line, which cuts off power and signalling when an object or person falls on the activation plates.
The upside of not having screen doors is that it helps with ventilation at the platforms, though those walking or cycling to the Shah Alam Line are likely to find it a steamy affair.
