MRT Putrajaya Line Phase 1 Direct Bus Connection to Kuala Lumpur City by Rapid KL Bus Service 173
Rapid KL Bus Service 173 is a bus service connecting Kampung Batu MRT & KTM Station to downtown Kuala Lumpur. This bus route between Hab Taman Jasa Utama and BSN Lebuh Ampang has been amended since 16 June 2022 in tandem with the opening of MRT Putrajaya Line Phase 1 to serve Kampung Batu MRT & KTM Station directly to provide a high-frequency bus connection to downtown Kuala Lumpur for the MRT Putrajaya Line.
Rail Stations served by Rapid KL Bus Service 173 from Kampung Batu MRT Station to BSN Lebuh Ampang (Masjid Jamek LRT Station):
- Kampung Batu MRT Station
- KTM Kampung Batu Railway Station
- Kentonmen MRT Station (Future)
- Jalan Ipoh MRT Station (Future)
- Sentul Barat MRT Station (Future)
- Chow Kit Monorail Station
- Medan Tuanku Monorail Station
- Sultan Ismail LRT Station
- Bandaraya LRT Station
- KTM Bank Negara Railway Halt
- Masjid Jamek LRT Station
MRT Putrajaya Line Kampung Batu MRT Station Entrance A
After alighting from the MRT Putrajaya Line at the current terminus of Kampung Batu MRT Station, head over to Entrance A and take the escalator down.
Rapid KL Bus Service 173 operates from the bus stop nearest to Kampung Batu MRT Station Entrance A, in front of KTM Kampung Batu Railway Station.
Kampung Batu MRT Station & KTM Kampung Batu Railway Station
Do note the first conflicting sign at the bus stop as the vehicle bay is for taxis while the bus stop sign is placed there. Continue walking past the first bus stop sign to get to the bus stop.
The bus stop is before the second bus stop sign.
The route map of Rapid KL Bus Service 173 is posted at the Kampung Batu MRT Station Entrance A bus stop.
The timetable of Rapid KL Bus Service 173 is also posted at the Kampung Batu MRT Station Entrance A bus stop for both bounds.
A QR code is available to scan to check the current location of the Rapid KL Bus Service 173 bus.
Rapid KL Bus Service 173 is the only bus service serving the Kampung Batu MRT Station Entrance A bus stop, so it’s easy to spot.
However, do note that Rapid KL Bus Service 173 serves the Kampung Batu MRT Station Entrance A bus stop in both bounds, so ensure that the bus destination says LEBUH AMPANG if you are heading to the city.
Boarding Rapid KL Bus Service 173.
Departing from Kampung Batu MRT Station Entrance A.
The interior of the bus.
Heading on to Jalan 1/12 PPR Batu Muda.
Taking the viaduct over the KTM tracks.
Rapid KL Bus Service 173 takes the main Jalan Ipoh down to Kuala Lumpur city, making this a direct route as a temporary replacement for MRT Putrajaya Line Phase 2 while construction carries on.
MRT Putrajaya Line Kentonmen MRT Station (Future)
Passing by the future Kentonmen MRT Station.
The MRT viaducts go slightly underground here before Jalan Ipoh MRT Station.
MRT Putrajaya Line Jalan Ipoh MRT Station
Passing by the future Jalan Ipoh MRT Station.
A future new bus stop is integrated at Jalan Ipoh MRT Station.
Jalan Ipoh MRT Station is also the tunnel portal for the underground section of the MRT Putrajaya Line.
Passing by Taman Million, Jalan Ipoh.
Well that MRT logo looks oddly familiar but not 100% right.
MRT Putrajaya Line Sentul Barat MRT Station
Passing by Sentul Barat MRT Station.
A few new bus stops have been built at Sentul Barat MRT Station, to be commissioned.
The junction of Jalan Strachan towards Sentul Works and Sentul Depot is located after the row of Sentul Barat MRT Station bus stops.
Passing over the KTM tracks south of Sentul Railway Station.
Passing under the LRT viaducts south of Titiwangsa LRT Station
Chow Kit Monorail Station
Rapid KL Bus Service 173 stops at Chow Kit Monorail Station. For travel to KL Sentral, you may alight here and change to the KL Monorail Line or the free GoKL Red Line bus from the same bus stop.
Medan Tuanku Monorail Station & Sultan Ismail LRT Station
Stop at Sri Amar bus stop to access Medan Tuanku Monorail Station and Sultan Ismail LRT Station.
Passing under the monorail tracks.
Medan Tuanku Monorail Station and Sultan Ismail LRT Station can be accessed by the elevated walkway.
Bandaraya LRT Station & KTM Bank Negara Railway Halt
Stop at Globe KL bus stop* to access Bandaraya LRT Station and KTM Bank Negara Railway Halt.
*I realised I took the wrong photo. Oops. In the meantime, before I fix it on my next KL trip, when you see this bus stop in the photo, do NOT stop here and instead stop at the NEXT bus stop.
Passing under the LRT viaducts south of Masjid Jamek LRT Station.
Passing by Sultan Abdul Samad Building and Dataran Merdeka.
Turning in to Leboh Pasar Besar.
The bus lane isn’t working hur hur.
Passing by Masjid Jamek Lookout Point @ River of Life at the confluence of the Klang and Gombak Rivers, also known as Kuala Lumpur.
Passing by Dataran Medan Pasar.
Get ready to alight at the last stop when you pass by Menara CCB.
Masjid Jamek LRT Station / BSN Lebuh Ampang Terminus
Rapid KL Bus Service 173 terminates and starts at BSN Lebuh Ampang Terminus, located adjacent to Masjid Jamek LRT Station.
If heading towards Kampung Batu MRT Station, board Rapid KL Bus Service 173 at this same bus stop.
Follow the LRT viaducts past McDonald’s to get to Masjid Jamek LRT Station.
From here, the LRT Ampang and Sri Petaling Lines and LRT Kelana Jaya Line connect directly to other parts of downtown Kuala Lumpur.
Conclusion
Rapid KL Bus Service 173 is a useful trunk bus service plying between Kampung Batu MRT & KTM Station and Masjid Jamek LRT Station enabling essential MRT Putrajaya Line Phase 1 direct connections to Kuala Lumpur city. Do note that the Rapid KL Bus Service 173 bus will get crowded during peak hours as it is an important trunk bus service serving residential areas directly from the city along Jalan Ipoh, Kampung Batu, Bullion, Batu Caves, Kampung Nakhoda, Selayang, and Taman Jasa Utama.