Usage of public transport in Malaysia has reached just 20% to date, and the figure remains below the 40% target stated in the National Transport Policy 2019-2030, said transport minister Anthony Loke, reported Bernama.
“The national transport policy from 2019 to 2030 is already in place. So, our challenge is to ensure that this policy is realised according to its intended goals,” Loke said.
Meanwhile, the implementation of the Road to Rail initiative is currently being carried out in phases, and it is expected to have a significant impact on the logistics sector in Malaysia, the transport minister said.
“We are actively promoting the use of rail [transportation]. That is why one of our focus initiatives is “Road to Rail”. to encourage more usage of railways for the transportation of containers and goods. When the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project is completed, it will boost the use of rail to transport goods and containers to the East Coast, thereby reducing reliance on road transport such as lorries,” Loke said.
As of May 30, Malaysia Rail Link (MRL) CEO Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak said that the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project is on schedule to reach 90% completion by December this year.
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Do you go to find out what is the problem? Just look at small island Penang, we have almost 1m population, and LRT not even started. How to encourage people to use public transport? Not just simply talk.
One million population is too small a number to operate without significant government subsidies. If the Klang Valley has a population of 8 million and only 20% use public transport, that means 1.6 million people are using it — yet it still requires government subsidies. In Penang, even if 50% of the population uses public transport, that would only amount to 500,000 people — which is still not enough
Same goes for KV area non urban area like Cheras need to walk 10 minutes to reach bus station… MRT even worst… Is not convinent, if raining prepare for worst (no shuttle or walkway.
No use barking on why people don’t take public transport. Find the causes
1. Safety – Mugging, pick pocket, scammers (esp lately from mainland)
2. Weather – Sudden heavy rain
3. last-mile connectivity
4. Crowd traffic during peak hour
5. Diseases
And don’t forget those raciest advertisement about Body, people or what not.
Once u initiate and launch costly CBD charges…suddenly you find lots of people carpooling or using public transport.
This CBD thing has been on the table and shelved ,countless menteris come n go.
Initiate CBD charges plus those last mile connectivity vans in bigger numbers…it might give a boost to public transportation.
Yes, sidewalks will be used by motorcycle parking and traffic bypass during rush hours. Because everyone wants to escape traffic and lazy to walk. It’s the urban planning very terrible.
Just one question to you Mr Loke. Are you possible to walk to the station from your house without using other transport? This is different compare with Japan or Uk.
Solve the last mile issue before giving out such statement.
Just look at how much cars parked at LRT / MRT stations. Whats the point of the LRT / MRT if we still need to drive to the stations?
No roof mrt parking, shutter bus rounding unnecessary half n hour routes. But still way better than the miserable ktm.
Unfortunately, after having given many carrots, its probably time to use the stick. Taking again examples from 1st world/developed cities: we have to implement very costly parking in city, certainly no more double parking, higher congestion/pollution charges in city, higher car ownership costs (for god’s sake stop it with the 9 year loans its a crime worse than getting hooked on gambling, akin to automotive drugs)
drive to kepong from PJ, 20-30 minutes. public transport from Pj to Kepong, 1.5 hours. go figure la.
Does this refer to peak hours
Or off peak hours?
I don’t think peak hours only 20%,they are cramped enough.
Off peak hours, we may need more Tourist to support.
The reasons are obvious, feeder buses are mostly idling at MRT stations with their long 30 min intervals. It is no different from KTM Kommuter.
High fares for short trips, no proper covered walkways to nearby taman,
Many stations are built along the more affluent areas like Damansara and Bangsar where car ownership is high, which defeats the purpose.
High ridership by foreign workers means we are subsidizing the wrong target group.
It is going to need a coordinated effort from all municipalities concerned to address the issues.
If Wee Ka Siong is no longer MP next GE16,give him senatorship…be our Menteri Transport.
He talk less now…insaf a lot,can do a better job.
Wait, didn’t he sit in the MRT in disguise to experience it himself? That was quite awhile back. Until now no new action?
No duh! When they took down a PM that was driving public transportation, what did he expect public wants? Of course they dont prefer to use it! Duhh Loke!
It does not feel like 20% during rush hour in the MRT
Ya, that feels like 120% usage to me. #KajangLine #MRT
There are rakyat waiting to use but not available to them or station >5km away. Most lines going thru less populated area from beginning of service and some wide areas without lines at all, example whole of Shah Alam (except the KTM which also out of service for 2 years) from 2024!
Dear Loke, you also live in Semenyih. Why not you try to use public transport to go to KL from Semenyih?
You don’t have to la, let me tell you. Drive from Semenyih to the nearest MRT station (Kajang) took at least 45 min, and MRT to KL Sentral 50 min.
Solve the 45 min jam please. Or extend the MRT to Semenyih maybe?
the last mile using public transport is very inconvenient. some more the weather is so hot and at times it will rain.
Motorists could get stuck in traffic jam for 2 hours & still get home before public transportation users.
Go Figure
Malaysian cities are designed for car usage. You cannot even cross the highway or drain to get to mrt station on the other side even if you live nearby. And if you take a bus to get to mrt station, the buses too will get stuck at junction along highways where mrt stations are built.
20% to what, actually? Throwing numbers out without context…