Govt plans better public transportation by 2005

[Ijud]

THE government plans to reduce travel time within Kuala Lumpur to less than an hour when the restructuring of the public transport system in the Klang Valley is fully implemented by May 2005, special adviser to the Prime Minister, Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said.

The shorter travel time means that commuters will not be spending time waiting for public transport and that will eventually encourage more people to pick public transportation as their number one choice of transport.

Nor, who is the chairman of the steering committee on Kuala Lumpur Public Transportation System, said the government was concerned about the poor standard of public transportation systems in Klang Valley, which could break down completely if it was not resolved soon.

The current system was considered to be at level “E”, which allowed no room for error or contingencies and the government wanted to improve the system to at least to level “C”, which allowed 15% slack for contingencies, he said.

The poor conditions had already deterred most people from using public transport, judging by the decline in the number of commuters from 34% of the total KL population in 1985 to 16% presently.

“If we could help people go to work early, the restructuring will be a success because we can reduce the total of man-hours spent waiting for buses and improve the city's productivity,” Nor told StarBiz, adding that with a better public transport system, the government would gain enormous goodwill from the public.

Elaborating on the Restructuring of Kuala Lumpur Public Transportation System plan, Nor said commuters who travel within the city would feel the immediate impact of the changes, which would be implemented in the next 18 months.

One of the main changes include increasing the number of feeder buses to increase the frequency of service to every 10 to 15 minutes from the present 30 minutes. At the same time, amenities between connecting stations will also be upgraded to cut the connection time from one station to another.

“We are also planning to build travelators to shorten travelling time as well as constructing covered walkways for commuters' convenience,” Nor said, adding that the plan also took into consideration the country's hot climate and commuter aversion to walking under the hot sun.

Other time-saving improvements include the implementation of a single ticketing system which eliminates the need to queue up at every station. “Infrastructure such as MyKad is already in place and the system will be used more extensively in the future,” he said.

For commuters who prefer to drive to stations, the government would build more parking bays and have the fees incorporated into the ticketing system, said Nor.

And because of the new developments, KL City Hall is expected to freeze issuing new licences for operating parking areas except those related to the proposed public transportation system.

“The government will derive revenues from parking fees and the money will be ploughed back into the transportation system to subsidise the operations,” he said.

Nor said the revenue from parking fees was an important element of the restructuring plan as it would make it no longer necessary for operators to seek additional funding from the government other than RM14bil already spent on the main infrastructure.

Other important aspects of the plan are to keep the fare as low as possible.

“We are also planning to get revenue from other sources such as developing some of the land in the vicinity of the stations to promote economic activities,” Nor said, adding that the additional revenue would help offset any cost increases that could lead to an increase in fares.

According to Nor, the restructuring was the culmination of research by at least 11 government departments and ministries which had conducted their own studies on the public transportation system.

[Ijud]

THE Government has appointed a new joint-venture company (newco) to manage the public transportation system for the Klang Valley that includes the city bus services operated by Park May Bhd and Intrakota Komposit Sdn Bhd as well as the PUTRA and STAR light rail transit (LRT) operations.

Ending weeks of speculation, the Prime Minister’s Department said yesterday the newco formed by the consortium, comprising Datuk Mohd Nadzmi Salleh, KL Infrastructure Group Bhd (KLIG) and KUB Holdings Bhd with equity split of 40:40:20 respectively, would become the master operator of the system that carries over 80% of the commuter traffic into the federal capital. According to sources, the concession would be for a period of at least 10 years, but not exceeding 30 years.

The Government also announced that a single integrated transport regulator known as the Klang Valley Urban Transportation Board would be established to oversee the operations and development of the public transportation system in the federal capital, currently under the jurisdictions of nearly a dozen ministries and government departments.

As master operator, the newco would lease the trains and buses from government-held Syarikat Prasarana Nasional Bhd that now owns all the assets in the system.

Prasarana this month completed the purchase of the city buses from Park May and Intrakota's parent DRB-HICOM Bhd and had been running the PUTRA and STAR lines since September last year.

It is understood that the financial arrangement being proposed is modelled on that first pioneered in Malaysia Airlines' widespread asset unbundling exercise last year which separated asset owner from operator.

This would free the commercial operator from the high cost of financing for capital and infrastructure development.

It is believed the two bus operations and two LRT lines turn in profits at the operating level – raking in some RM430mil in revenues in total annually against operating costs of about RM400mil – but are not able to cover their financing costs.

The consortium members are all established public transportation operators or have had such experience in the past. Nadzmi heads Nadicorp Holdings Sdn Bhd that runs a fleet of 1,200 buses plying national routes while KLIG is owner-operator of the KL Monorail. KUB’s chief executive Che Khalib Mohd Noh, meanwhile, had been the former executive council chairman of KTM Bhd.

When contacted yesterday, a KLIG official said the company had yet to receive the letter of award. However, he confirmed the consortium was still in talks with the government to determine the leasing rates for the assets.

Since July, a steering committee, comprising the Economic Planning Unit of the Prime Minister’s Department, Finance Ministry, Transport Ministry and Entrepreneur Development Ministry, had been coordinating the efforts leading to the selection of the consortium.

When contacted by StarBiz, steering committee chairman and special economic advisor to the Prime Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said the group’s timetable for asset acquisition and selection of a new master operator was on schedule.

He said the operations for the new entity should start by April next year and the new transport board is expected to be in place by April 2005.

Nor said the new structure would ensure greater efficiency and effectiveness in the future.

Acknowledging that Kuala Lumpur’s public transport system of multi-operators and uncoordinated development and operations in the past was far from perfect, Nor said he was “fully aware of the need to improve the system.”

He said that with some RM14bil invested over the past 10 years in the Klang Valley’s rail infrastructure, the way forward was for the integration and streamlining of the operations.

He said there wouldn’t be a need for additional capital investment except “an incremental amount” to improve scheduling, routings, connectivity and introduce a common ticketing system.

Nor said the other public transport operators like KL Monorail, KTM Komuter and bus lines Metrobus and Triton would continue to be run independently. However, an integration agreement would be signed between Prasarana and these parties to ensure that their operations were coordinated with that of the master operator.

Compared with the master operator, they control a relatively small share of the market.

Park May and Intrakota buses have between them up to 80% of the total daily bus ridership while PUTRA and STAR have total daily ridership of 165,000 and 100,000 respectively compared with 60,000 for KTM Komuter and 25,000 for KL Monorail.

[nazrey]

A common ticketing system would be good, allow commuters to use just one card, to ride the monorail, LRT, star and erl. I'm not sure if there is such a facility, but, the ability to make a phone call, and automatically top up your travel card from a bank account or just an account set up would be an added convenience.

[nazrey]

[baqthier]

"The current system was considered to be at level “E”, which allowed no room for error or contingencies and the government wanted to improve the system to at least to level “C”, which allowed 15% slack for contingencies, he said."

Any details about these levels?

[Ijud]

Yaloooor... I want to know the criteria from level A to F too!

[THT-United]

Nice photo montage of all the Valley's rail transport modes!

[Ijud]

The Star: 20/04/2004

PETALING JAYA: A plan to introduce a common ticket for all public transport services in the Klang Valley has suffered some setbacks which could delay its implementation.

Sources said the plan, which would allow Touch 'n Go and the yet-to-be launched MEPS Transit Card to be used for all services, was being held back because several public transport operators and Rangkaian Segar Sdn Bhd, the provider of the Touch 'n Go system, could not agree on commission rates.

The operators, they said, were reluctant to accept Rangkaian Segar's rate, claiming it would eat too much into their “meagre” profits.

“There are no problems with the technical aspects of the system. In fact, it can be switched on today. However, it is the commercial issues which are preventing it from going on-line,” one of the sources said.

The actual rates offered by Rangkaian Segar is believed to be at least 2% per transaction, but the operators are only willing to pay between 1% and 1.5%.

It was reported last year that the Cabinet wanted a common ticketing system (CTS) to be implemented for the Klang Valley's two light rail transit (LRT) systems, two high-speed rail links, KTM Komuter, monorail and the bus network.

Currently, commuters have to buy different tickets for the various services.

Unlike the common toll payment system for expressways, CTS would not rely exclusively on the Touch 'n Go. It would also accept a second stored-value card, MEPS Transit, provided by Malaysian Electronic Payment Systems Sdn Bhd.

The CTS has to incorporate the Touch 'n Go system as it has a head start and can already be used on the Putraline LRT service, Cityliner buses and certain Starline LRT stations.

Implemented by a task force under the Finance Ministry, the CTS should have kicked off with the KLIA Ekspres last year.

Express Rail Link Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Dr Aminuddin Adnan confirmed that talks between his company, which operates the KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit links between KL Sentral and KL International Airport, and Rangkaian Segar was at an impasse.

“People can use credit cards to pay for their KLIA Express tickets and the commission rate that the credit card company charges is more competitive.”

It is understood that KTM Bhd, whose KTM Komuter system was being installed with CTS equipment, had also requested for a reduction in commission rates.

Rangkaian Segar chief operating officer Swinder Grewal said the rate suggested was the lowest it could go.

“We are willing to give them the same rate as expressway operators despite the fact that the volume of transactions from public transport is going to be much lower than toll collection,” she said.

The rate for public transportation could be higher because of higher costs compared to toll collection, she added.

Swinder said operators should also look at the savings which they would gain with CTS. “There will be a reduction in the volume of issued tickets, and less monitoring of tickets as well as cash handling.”

Asked about the possibility of MEPS offering a lower rate, Swinder said Rangkaian Segar's sole business was that of a clearing house while MEPS, being owned by banks, might not be deriving its main revenue from such services. She said the delay in implementation could be caused by reluctance to pay installation cost.

Only 16% use public transport in KL, says Chan

From the Chinese Press

MALAYSIA has the lowest number of public transport users in Asia, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy said.

In an exclusive interview with Sin Chew Daily, Chan said only 16% of the people used public transport in Kuala Lumpur, compared with 60% in Seoul, 56% in Singapore and 30% in Bangkok.

He added that among the reasons cited by commuters for shying away from public transport were bad services.

“The Government is currently looking into ways to improve the public transport system in the Klang Valley to attract more people to use public transportation,” he said.

[ZaHiRnYa???]

Hmm...There is absolutely nothing shocking about the figure. Honestly, KL people prefered their own transport. Me myself prefer to use my motorbike to go around KL due to its convenient and accessibility. Nothing against public transport.

I took lrt the other day from KLCC to my house which is 5 stop away. The ride itself took me less than 10 minutes. But the feeder bus is nowhere to be found. Imagine having to wait close to an hour to catch a feeder bus. That is ridiculously insane.

I can understand that too. There is still plenty room for improvement. Imagine you are using public transportation and if the destination you are heading to requires you to change your mode of transport and you've to wait for long time for connecting feeder bus for example. That definitely doesn't make your day

[ZaHiRnYa???]

Originally Posted by Xfactor

I can understand that too. There is still plenty room for improvement. Imagine you are using public transportation and if the destination you are heading to requires you to change your mode of transport and you've to wait for long time for connecting feeder bus for example. That definitely doesn't make your day

Correct. Hopefully, something can be done to ovecome pertaining to this matter

[baqthier]

If KL has a cool weather like Seoul, sure more would love to use the public transport. And as for Singapore, theirs are just too efficient to resist

[szehoong]

Originally Posted by baqthier

If KL has a cool weather like Seoul, sure more would love to use the public transport. And as for Singapore, theirs are just too efficient to resist

Cars are also more expensive in Singapore and with all the ERP and COE ....wah.......owning a car is like a house on wheels (actually in Malaysia also samething but bit as expensive only). This factor plus an ultra-efficient public transportion system make good sense for people to commute using public transport.

And Baq is right.......temperate weather does help a lot too!

[Centrilium]

Talking about public buses...you guys should take note on Ipoh public buses..3 words to describe themirty,Inefficient and OLD.
Yup when it rains the old buses will have leakages from the roof.Dirty in the sense that you have grafitti everywhere,spittings on the floor from mucus to phlegm from the mouth,chewing gum...
At times you have to wait for 1/2 hour for the buses to arrive and there are 2 companies operating these buses.Both will compete with each other to snatch customers with dirty tricks like overtaking dangerously on the road and scolding each other and going around the same place for upto 4 rounds just to pick enough passengers in the same area.
I am so sad with my city which I am born in.Bad memories.

[ZaHiRnYa???]

Originally Posted by Centrilium

Talking about public buses...you guys should take note on Ipoh public buses..3 words to describe themirty,Inefficient and OLD.
Yup when it rains the old buses will have leakages from the roof.Dirty in the sense that you have grafitti everywhere,spittings on the floor from mucus to phlegm from the mouth,chewing gum...
At times you have to wait for 1/2 hour for the buses to arrive and there are 2 companies operating these buses.Both will compete with each other to snatch customers with dirty tricks like overtaking dangerously on the road and scolding each other and going around the same place for upto 4 rounds just to pick enough passengers in the same area.
I am so sad with my city which I am born in.Bad memories.

Hmmm..are you talking about Medan Kidd bus station? I thought they closed the place and move it to a new place already;

[tomkat]

A bit long. But worth the reading.
An open letter to the Transport Minister.
--------

YB Dato’ Sri Chan Kong Choy, Minister of Transport

We, the undersigned NGOs, wish to express our concern over the unacceptable state of public transportation here in the Klang Valley and in most towns and cities in Malaysia generally.

We [the 8 NGOs which formed the Public Transport Campaign Coordinating Committee] launched a campaign to collect signatures from the Malaysian public [in the Klang Valley] in June 2003 and their attached 2,170 signatures [a mere tip of the dissatisfied public volcano] categorically call for an improvement of the reliability, integration and cleanliness of the public transport system in the Klang Valley.

We are appalled by the apparent lack of integrated planning, inconsistent policies and operating procedures and services rendered by the public transport sector, causing great inconvenience and detriment to the members of the public who are reliant on public transport.

This situation has resulted in poor confidence in public transport and has, in fact, resulted in more private vehicle owners using their vehicles on city roads, adding to the congestion and chaos [not to mention our notorious traffic accidents] especially during rush hours. In line with this, we view with concern, the alarming trend in the rise in private owned vehicles and the decline of public transport use.

A SAMPLE OF COMMENTS ON THE EXISTING PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM

A] Most bus-stops have no indication of which buses stop there, when they can be expected, and what routes they ply
B] Buses and even Komuter trains hardly follow any time-table and LRT users end up many a time spending more time waiting for the connecting bus than during the LRT journey.
C} There is no seamless connection between different modes of travel and even changing between the 3 different LRT systems involves long walks, crossing busy roads, getting soaked in the rain, and buying separate tickets.
D] Many housing areas have and are being built without ANY provision for an adequate public transport system.
E] Dedicated bus lanes exist only in parts of KL and even these are abused especially during peak periods when, of all people, some traffic cops direct private vehicles to use them.
F] Bus drivers arbitrarily change routes and fail to stop at designated stops. They are also well known to flout non-smoking rules, when driving, and conductors win no awards for courtesy.
G] The public transport system seems to be planned and even run by people who never use it – hence it is hardly user-friendly.
H] Public transport vehicles are generally poorly maintained [both the bodywork & engines] and very often operated hazardously.
I] Many public transport users spend hours every day just waiting for the public transport vehicles to arrive and have to force themselves into often overloaded ones during peak periods.

WE INVITE YB AND OTHER MINISTERS TO TRAVEL BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT FOR ONE WORKING DAY TO GET A FLAVOUR OF SOME OF THE ABOVE PROBLEMS.

We are also concerned about the effect of the transport system in relation to the air quality that we live in. A report by the Ministry of Science, Technology & the Environment to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Secretariat indicated that 49% of carbon dioxide emissions [arising from fuel combustion in 1994] are attributed to the transport sector. This figure could have only risen by now. We believe that this [together with other air pollutants like oxides of nitrogen and sulphur] directly compromises our health and that of our family and loved ones. It adds to the localized and global climatic change and negative effects to our natural biodiversity.

An efficient, reliable, clean, integrated and affordable public transport is essential for the Klang Valley because
· it will reduce the already heavy air pollution and the corresponding expenditure on health services to combat the air-pollution’s ill-effects;
· it will reduce the energy consumed per person-km traveled, thus maintaining, if not improving, mobility at lesser cost;
· it will reduce traffic jams and risks of accidents as less private vehicles are used to move the same number of people;
· by making less demand on land space, it will free valuable land to be used for housing and recreation.

Being a country rich in culture, natural resources, technical know-how and aspirations, we urge YB’s good office to:

1. Revisit and conduct a thorough review of present policies, supporting and implementation plans for public transport.

2. Integrate policies and management of all authorities and implementing agencies into a National Policy on Transport emphasising sound planning, smart coordination, efficient management, wise use of resources, & professional services taking into account public participation, well being and welfare of the members of public and the environment.

3. Introduce proactive measures to expand and promote the efficient use of public transport.

4. Establish a Land Transport Authority to coordinate the various fragmented tasks presently undertaken by various agencies and establish within it a powerful Public Transport Department.

5. Curb further road construction and focus instead on improved mobility using non-motorized transport as well as fully utilized public transport facilities.

6. Avoid high cost and high technology fixes as well as bad policy decisions like the approval of 3 incompatible systems for the 3 LRT networks operating in the Klang Valley.

A PUBLIC TRANSPORT VISION

WE envisage within the foreseeable future:
A Klang Valley resident having only to walk 5-10 min from his home to catch a public transport vehicle [without waiting for more than 15mins] which will transport him to his destination directly or to a main trunk route from which he will be able to take a distributor vehicle either direct to his office or walk for 5-10 min. For his return, it would be a repeat. The total waiting period in each direction will not be more than 30 min. In addition, the vehicles he will be travelling in will be comfortable and clean and the fare affordable.
He is able, on a daily basis, to plan, with some assurance, his travel time & route and fix appointments, with a certain amount of reliability.

IS THIS TOO MUCH TO ASK FOR – ESPECIALLY IF WE WANT TO ACHIEVE VISION 2020?

We are willing to engage in discussions with the Ministry of Transport and other relevant government agencies to elaborate on the contents of this memorandum and urge that an open & participatory process, involving all relevant stakeholders, be initiated to seek sustainable solutions to this major Malaysian headache.

We await YB’s early positive response to this short memorandum.

[Centrilium]

Originally Posted by ZaHiRnYa???

Hmmm..are you talking about Medan Kidd bus station? I thought they closed the place and move it to a new place already;

No not the bus station.I'm referring to the public buses on the road.Really rude conductors and drivers as well.Today I saw someone almost got stuck between the doors...The damned bus driver got the nerved to shut the door when there are still passengers coming down from the bus.Luckily he managed to escape the door if not his leg may have got fractured.

[baqthier]

These stages will include physically integrating the different systems with walkways and escalators, introducing a common ticket and changing legislation to provide for an urban transport authority, he said.

Sounds promising! I hope the walkways would be the electrical ones