Merdeka MRT station
The Merdeka MRT station is a mass rapid transit (MRT) underground station in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is one of the stations of the Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit (KVMRT) Sungai Buloh-Kajang Line and serves as an interchange station with Plaza Rakyat LRT station for LRT Ampang and Sri Petaling lines. The station was opened on 17 July 2017 under Phase Two operations of the MRT line.[1]
SBK17 Merdeka | |||||||||||
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Rapid transit station | |||||||||||
The interior design of the station incorporates the theme of "independence" as shown by this decoration that is inspired by the 14-pointed star of the Malaysian flag. | |||||||||||
Other names | 默迪卡 (Chinese) மெர்தேக்கா (Tamil) | ||||||||||
Location | Jalan Hang Jebat, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. | ||||||||||
Coordinates | 3°8′31.09″N 101°42′7.38″E | ||||||||||
Owned by | MRT Corp | ||||||||||
Operated by | Rapid Rail | ||||||||||
Line(s) | 9 Kajang Line 3 Ampang Line via Plaza Rakyat 4 Sri Petaling Line via Plaza Rakyat | ||||||||||
Platforms | 1 island platform | ||||||||||
Tracks | 2 | ||||||||||
Connections | Integrated station to AG8 SP8 Plaza Rakyat via a 180 metres paid-to-paid pedestrian walkway. | ||||||||||
Construction | |||||||||||
Structure type | Underground | ||||||||||
Parking | Not available | ||||||||||
Bicycle facilities | not available | ||||||||||
Other information | |||||||||||
Station code | SBK17 | ||||||||||
History | |||||||||||
Opened | 17 July 2017 | ||||||||||
Services | |||||||||||
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The station's name translates to "Independence" in English and is taken from its location near the historic Stadium Merdeka (Malay; English: Independence Stadium), where the independence of the Federation of Malaya was declared on 31 August 1957, and the covered Stadium Negara (English: National Stadium). The station is located beneath Jalan Hang Jebat (English: Hang Jebat Road).
Interchange with Plaza Rakyat LRT station
The station is connected with the SP8 AG8 Plaza Rakyat LRT station via a 180-metre pedestrian linkway. The linkway connects the paid areas of both stations, thus allowing commuters to transfer between the MRT Sungai Buloh-Kajang line and the LRT Ampang Line and the LRT Sri Petaling Line.
The station is located about 600 metres and is within walking distance of the SP9 AG9 MR4 Hang Tuah LRT and monorail station.
Station Features
As the underground station is near the historic Stadium Merdeka where Malaysia's first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman declared the independence of the Federation of Malaya from the British Empire on 31 August 1957, the theme "independence" was chosen for the interior design for this station.
The theme is manifested through several features such as a wall at the Upper Concourse Level bearing a relief of the Rukunegara, the Malaysian national pledge. The ceiling above the escalator leading down from the Upper Concourse Level to the Lower Concourse Level bears a motif of the arms of the 14-pointed star on the flag of Malaysia.[2][3]
At the Lower Concourse Level, each pillar bears the flag and emblem of one of the states of Malaysia.
Around the station
The station is located near the Stadium Merdeka, currently being refurbished as part of the KL118 Tower project. Directly next to Entrance B of the station is Stadium Negara indoor stadium.
The 118 storey KL118 Tower, which will be the tallest building in Malaysia when completed, is currently under construction adjacent to this station.
Bus Services
Being in the city centre, MRT feeder buses do not operate from this station. However, it is adjacent to Pudu Sentral, a city bus station in Kuala Lumpur.
Gallery
Station
- Platforms of the Merdeka MRT station.
- Flags and emblems of Malaysian states on the pillars at the Lower Concourse Level of the station.
- Bench at the Platform Level of the station which was designed by student Chong Chin Sheng as part of a bench design competition.[4]
- Entrance A of the station.
- The Declaration of Independence feature wall at the Upper Concourse Level of the station.
Linkway to Plaza Rakyat LRT station
- View of the linkway heading towards the Merdeka MRT station.
- View of the linkway heading towards the Plaza Rakyat LRT station.
- Travellator at the linkway towards the Plaza Rakyat LRT station.
References
- "SBK Line Full Opening Boosts Coverage of Kuala Lumpur's Urban Rail Network" (PDF). Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 August 2017. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
- "Seven hidden gems of the MRT". Thestar.com.my. 2017-07-09. Retrieved 2017-07-17.
- "MRT stations designed to tell the story of M'sia". Thestar.com.my. 2017-08-03. Retrieved 2017-09-04.
- "Innovative designs for transit furniture". Thestar.com.my. 2016-05-01. Retrieved 2017-09-04.