KUALA LUMPUR: Enthusiasm and optimism filled the MRT Kampung Batu station as the Putrajaya Line began service on Thursday (June 16).

       The first station on the first phase of the newly launched MRT line saw commuters waiting patiently outside as operators counted down the seconds before opening the gates at 3pm.

       ALSO READ: Free RapidKL rides for a month in conjunction with Putrajaya MRT launch

       Sales assistant Puspa Karappiah said she was ecstatic that she would be able to shorten her hour-long work commute each way with the new MRT line.

       “I travel from my house at Damansara Damai to Sogo every day so this line really helps me to save time.

       “Now, I will get off at Metro Prima and take the bus to Sogo so I really hope that the second phase will open faster so I can directly go by train,” she said.

       Puspa added that the month-long free rides for all public transportation services under RapidKL as announced by the Prime Minister earlier really helped her to save money.

       “Usually, I will have to wait for my pay to top up my my50 travel pass but this month I don’t have to because it’s free,” she said.

       (Left) Puspa Karappiah enjoying the train ride with her children, (right) K.L. Oon waiting to ride the first train at MRT Kampung Batu station.

       Retiree K.L. Oon has been waiting for the MRT Kampung Batu station, which was near his house, to open for the past few years.

       “I’m a frequent public transport user because it’s very convenient for me.

       “Even for this line, I waited over an hour outside for it to open and now I will just enjoy a fun ride and look around to see where the line ends,” the 72-year-old said.

       ALSO READ: Photo Gallery: Putrajaya MRT Phase One opens

       Oon expressed his satisfaction with the public transport facilities in Malaysia and suggested for certain railways follow the schedule so that more Malaysians would be able to plan their journey accordingly.

       “I hope the government will maintain a reasonable price for the fare to help people, especially in the B40 group,” says Oon.

       Soh Jun Han, 20, opined that the new line would make it convenient for students like him to commute around.

       “I didn’t catch the news about the free one-month rides this morning but the government’s move is very good,” he said.

       ALSO READ: Early birds on MyRapid Pulse app to enjoy three months of free insurance, says Prasarana CEO

       The first phase of the Putrajaya line, covers 12 stations - Kwasa Damansara, Kampung Selamat, Sungai Buloh, Damansara Damai, Sri Damansara Barat, Sri Damansara Sentral, Sri Damansara Timur, Metro Prima, Kepong Baru, Jinjang, Sri Delima, and Kampung Batu.

       During peak hours, the trains will arrive every four minutes, with each trip capable of ferrying 1,200 passengers.

       The first phase of the Putrajaya MRT line allows passengers to change over to KTM stations at Sungai Buloh, Sri Damansara Timur (to Kepong Sentral) and Kampung Batu.

       By January next year, Phase two of the Putrajaya MRT will be completed and trains will pass through the entire route from Kwasa Damansara to Putrajaya, marking the end of the line.