SMOOTH 1ST DAY OF JALAN TAR CLOSURE
Motorists, traders bemoan closure, but shoppers glad for the convenience
THE first day of the Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman (TAR) trial closure yesterday appeared to have gone smoothly, despite being preceded by months of drama that foretold of dark days ahead.
But from 8am, it was smooth sailing as the 1km-long stretch from Jalan Esfahan near Sogo to Jalan Melayu was closed to traffic.
Only buses and taxis were allowed to use the road, which saw some of them taking advantage of the space by speeding.
The 30-odd City Hall enforcement personnel performed their duties diligently, redirecting traffic despite getting taunts from disgruntled motorists.
“We had to swallow the taunts from scores of motorists who claim they are not aware of the closure.
“Some motorcyclists defiantly bypassed the barricade by going up the pedestrian walkway and onto the road,” said an officer, who declined to be named.
He said chief among the suggestions his team would be making to better manage traffic was the installation of humps.
He said City Hall officers were placed at six checkpoints, including the points where the
barricades were placed.
“They include Lorong Gombak, Lorong Bunus 6 and 7, and Jalan Melayu.
“We still allow loading in Lorong Gombak today (yesterday) and on Sunday because there is no pasar malam, so the shops can load in both Lorong Gombak and Lorong TAR.”
However, he said, such activities would be monitored and businesses would not be allowed to stop their vehicles longer than the prescribed time for loading purposes.
Shoppers said they did not experience much issues, although many were caught unawares by the road closure.
Muhamad Edil Herizal Suhaimi, 34, from Shah Alam, said big families with young children would find the closure a boon to their weekend activities.
“However, parking is an issue. The closest we could park was in Sogo, which is always full.
“If City Hall provides a parking space that’s nearer to the area, that would be great.”
Nora Tan, 50, from Bera, Pahang, said the road closure took her by surprise.
“I came by public transport. It’s convenient for pedestrians as the roads are not congested like usual. It’s easy for people to move around, so I don’t have a problem with it becoming permanent.”
Cik Yon, 65, from Kampung Baru, who learnt about the closure a few weeks ago, said she usually went to Jalan TAR to shop.
“So far, it’s okay. For a pedestrian, it feels quite relaxed to be in the area now. It’s exciting to see a road without cars.”
However, shop and stall operators at the pasar malam in Lorong TAR bemoaned a slower business day than usual.
The first day of the closure of Jalan TAR coincided with the flagging-off of Le Tour de Langkawi at the Kuala Lumpur City Centre area that saw more road closures.
Meanwhile, Deputy Federal Territories Minister Datuk Dr Shahruddin Md Salleh said City Hall would stick to its decision to relocate the Ramadan baazar from Jalan TAR to Jalan Raja.
“A review of the location, if any, will be done only next year,” he said after a walkabout at the Lorong TAR pasar malam yesterday.
He said the first day of Jalan TAR’s closure met its targets.
“It’s as close as we could have hoped for. There is a queue, but traffic is moving.”