KUALA LUMPUR: Rapid KL is expecting an increase in the number of rail passengers from Monday onwards with the KL Sentral LRT station likely to see more commuters passing through the public transport hub following Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Putrajaya's transition into Phase 2 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP).
Rapid KL LRT Chief Operating Officer, Azmi Md Zain, said Express Rail Link Sdn Bhd (ERL) would also resume its operations on Monday, which would contribute to an uptick in ridership figures.
He said commuter data would be tabulated daily to facilitate measures such as the deployment of additional trains should the situation call for it.
"So far, we have not detected many passenger traffic and our trains can accommodate passengers while complying with the NRP's standard operating procedures (SOP).
"We also have closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras to monitor SOP adherence. We strictly enforce SOPs including not allowing those displaying symptoms and passengers who do not wear face masks onboard trains," he said in a press conference today after conducting checks at KL Sentral.
He said that there was also no detection of irregular passenger traffic in the LRT trains following Klang Valley's transition into Phase 2 of the NRP, which took effect today.
A survey at the Pasar Seni LRT Station during the morning rush hour at around 8.30am today found that users complied with SOP including maintaining adequate physical distancing and wearing face masks properly.
They lined up at the LRT entrance with a physical distancing of 1m and went through temperature scanners. They also checked in via the MySejahtera mobile application before entering the train coaches.
In order to make sure no one is negligent in complying with the SOPs, several Prasarana staff and auxiliary police personnel have been assigned to patrol and monitor the stations.
Commuter Erma Wahab, 45, said she was confident of travelling on the train and bus despite only receiving one jab of the vaccine so far due to the enforcement of the guidelines.
"I should have been fully vaccinated but it was postponed because I have high blood pressure.
"However, I am confident of taking the public transport because all passengers practice SOPs, especially the wearing of face masks," she said.
Bank worker N. Nalini, 35, observed that public awareness on SOP compliance in trains was high.
"I commute from home to work every day using the train.
"After this, maybe more individuals will use the LRT due to the transition into Phase 2 of the NRP. But it will not be a problem if all SOPs are spelled out and everyone follows them."