FOR two years, pedestrians have been forced to climb the stairs due to a faulty escalator of the overhead walkway heading to the Pudu Sentral Urban Transformation Centre (UTC).
UTC visitors have vented their frustration over the inaction of the authorities to fix the escalator.
Some of those affected, including the handicapped and elderly, have to walk up the steep steps near a bus stop at Jalan Tun Perak.
Che Faizal, whose mother owns a stall nearby, was puzzled why nothing was done although the escalator broke down two years ago.
“Buses and taxis would drop off their passengers at the bus stand nearby, so this is the only way for people to go to the centre without crossing the busy road.
“Nothing has been done to fix this problem, eventhough numerous complaints were made to the authorities and escalator’s management.
“Overhead bridges are built for public safety, so why isn’t anything done to help them?” he asked yesterday.
Che Faizal added that he had witnessed some pedestrians choosing to cross the busy road rather than walk up the stairs.
“I pity the handicapped, senior citizens, especially pedestrians using the walking stick.
“The bridge is one-storey high and it’s really tough to climb the staircase,” he said.
A UTC visitor, who only wished to be known as Thivya, urged the authorities to resolve the matter soon.
“Many visit the centre because of the services provided here. I believe much money was spent on this escalator and walkway, yet nothing was done to fix a problem that has existed for two years.
“Isn’t UTC an initiative to serve the people?
But with a broken escalator, people are forced to jaywalk the busy street to reach the centre,” she said.
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UDA Holdings, the developer of Pudu Sentral UTC, said it was not responsible for maintaining the escalator.
“We would like to stress that UDA Holdings has nothing to do with the maintenance contract of the escalator.
“This matter was handed over to Fuji Tech. However, we will investigate the matter,” said a UDA Holdings spokesman.
Fuji Tech representative said its maintenance contract with DBKL had expired.
“Fuji Tech is waiting for DBKL to renew the contract to get the escalator back in service.
“The electric power supply for the escalator was shut down for quite awhile now.
“Even with a renewed contract, we would not be able to fix the escalator as there is no power supply,” he told Actionline.
However, a Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) spokesman said the council could not continue to maintain the escalator as its developer had failed to hand over the contract.
“We can only resolve this matter if the developer comes forward and hands the project over to us.
“Without any formal documents, we can’t allocate funds to maintain the escalator,” he said.
DBKL Mayor Tan Sri Mohd Amin Nordin Abd Aziz said he was investigating the matter.
“I have asked DBKL project executive director Datuk Mahadi Che Ngah to look into this. We will resolve this matter soon,” he said.
