Kelana Jaya to Kuala Lumpur
August 4, 2009 by Harveena
Filed under Featured journeys
7:45 a.m.: Clutching my thermos of coffee like a lifeline, I head towards the Kelana Jaya Light Rail Transit (LRT) station, about to start my daily commute. It’s Monday morning in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and, as always on Mondays, there’s a bigger than usual crowd at the station. It’s a strange phenomenon I’ve noticed in Kuala Lumpur – on the roads, on trains, and everywhere in the city, there’s extra congestion on Monday mornings. I can’t figure out why this is so – surely everyone leaves for work at the same time every day?
8:00 a.m.: Fifteen minutes later, I’m at the front of the queue. Even though the Kelana Jaya station is at the end of the line, “kiasu” (literally translated to “afraid to lose”) Malaysians get on the LRT a few stops ahead and then take it back to the end of the line just to ensure that they have a seat or at least prime standing room. This means that the LRT, which only has two cars to begin with, is always half full when it arrives at the station.
8.05 a.m.: I finally manage to squeeze onto the LRT. We are packed in like sardines. Mercifully, the LRT is air-conditioned. However, the mass of bodies makes the ride very uncomfortable, particularly when I find myself with my nose pressed into a guy’s armpit. Even at this hour, the guy’s BO is strong enough to make me gag. I take advantage of the LRT’s next stop to slowly shuffle around to face the other way, treading on a few protesting toes in the process. Luckily, I’m of slightly above-average height for a Malaysian, and in my heels, I am just tall enough to be able to get a bit of breathing space.
8.25 a.m.: We reach KL Sentral, Kuala Lumpur’s main transport hub, where the Putra LRT, Monoline, and KTM commuter train intersect. Half the passengers get off, while the other half rush to get precious seats or the coveted corners of good standing room space. Meanwhile, another horde of commuters rush in to pack the LRT full, and we are off again.
8.45 a.m.: KLCC station! I get out of the LRT, doing the LRT dance through other commuters and battling my way past the anxious commuters getting on to the train. A few steps more and I’m at my office – yet another work week begins.
