Thursday, December 25, 2008

10-steps to improve public transport for the whole Malaysia

With the recent decrease in the fuel subsidy, many people have complained that they would be willing to use public transportation if it were improved. They are calling loudly and clearly to the government to improve public transportation. We must look at other places and see what they have done to improve their public transport system. However, it must be clearly understood that there is a right way and a wrong way to improve public transportation in Malaysia. Belows are the suggestion to improve public transportation in Malaysia.


1) A Parliamentary Committee for Public Transportation must be created to oversee public transportation in Malaysia.

The existing Cabinet Committee does not have the confidence of the people of Malaysia (or, I imagine, Parliament itself). The presence of a Parliamentary Committee will improve confidence in public transportation. Planning and decision making will be improved through open planning and discussion. The Committee will help the MPs and the public to understand the proposals from the bus operators and the government, so the best plans are made.


2) A single National Authority for Public Transporation to create national standards, while Local and Regional Public Transportation Authorities will plan and implement strategies on the local level.

Public transport planning is invariably a local and/or regional service. It would not be possible for the proposed Suruhanjaya Pengangkutan Awam Negara (SPAN) to plan and oversee public transportation properly. Thus, each economic region of the country should have its own Local or Regional Public Transport Authority to own the bus routes and transport corridors and plan the future of public transportation.


3) Regulated Competition would be enhanced under the system provided.

The Public Transport Authority would own the buses and provide capital funding, while the operators would be required to compete for routes. This combination of regulation and competition would improve service levels and provide better, customer-focused services. Operators that could not meet the expectations of the Local Authority or the passengers would lose the routes to their competitors.


4) Proper funding for maintenance and expansion.

Since it started operating in 1995, the KTM Komuter service has been horribly neglected. The fleet size has decreased by 50% while passenger demand has actually tripled. Poor planning and oversight has left KTMB unprepared for the expanded passenger demands. An open Parliamentary Committee would be able to review the plans of the operators and proposals and make the necessary investments to improve public transportation.


5) Only a few operators, please

Competition is hurting public transportation in Malaysia. The only way that we can see real improvements is to reduce competition within the industry and focus on consolidation. The largest bus company, Konsortium Transnasional Berhad, is a good example of this consolidation. It offers express and intercity and urban bus services through its different branches and brands. Konsortium Bas Ekspres on the other hand, shows you what happens when there is consolidation without proper regulation. Konsortium Bas Ekspres has become notorious for bus crashes, underpaid and reckless drivers, and poor maintenance. The government should encourage existing operators to form properly regulated conglomerates like KTB. Under the proposed system of regulated competition, the Local Authority can even (with proper justification) invite foreign transport companies like First and Veolia and ComfortDelGro to compete for bus routes tendered in their areas.


6) Proper information

Malaysians are, ironically, being restricted by companies that are supposed to provide them mobility. Bus operators and even government operators like RapidKL, KL Monorail, and KTMB are doing everything in their power to keep passengers using their services-even at the expense of passenger convenience. Bus operators only provide basic route information and only on the bus itself. RapidKL has discouraged the sale of integrated public transport maps like BastrenKL at LRT stations and bus hubs. In addition, for RapidKL to provide route information at a bus stop or give updates on the radio, they are forced to pay advertising rates. With little or no comprehensive information available to public transport users, their ability to use the services and maximize their ringgit is severly limited. When the local Public Transport Authorities are created they should be expected to provide information through signs on bus stops, the internet, news-spots on broadcasting and narrowcasting, free paper guides, downloadable route maps, and sms services. This will help information reach the customers.


7) More buses and train carriages

Most people would think that this should be further up in the list but I disagree. We cannot build public transportation without realistic demands and proper data. Without these vital pieces of information, our planning is reduced to "If we build it, they will come". There are enough buses in the Klang Valley (shared among the major and minor bus operators) to meet all of the needs to the DBKL. These buses need to be better organized so they do not only focus on the profitable routes and do not spend most of their time waiting for passengers. Only a local public transport authority which owns the routes and controls the buses would be able to implement a successful system. If we rely on the operators themselves to organize and improve services, nothing will happen.


8) Build better public transport from the bottom up

Bus lanes are not a popular solution among drivers. But we have to realize that bus lanes and bus rapid transit system are a solution that will work for the Klang Valley and throughout Malaysia. Rather than spending all our funds in the Klang Valley alone, we should be thinking about improving public transportation throughout the country. To give you an understanding of this, consider the 120km of rail lines proposed in the KLCity2020 Draft Plan. Most of these lines will cost RM200-300 million per km. It will cost a total of RM 40 billion to build all of these lines, but the capacity will be the same as the existing KL Monorail and Kelana Jaya LRT. However, if the 120km of lines were built as a mix of Bus Rapid Transit and Rapid Tram lines, they could be built for RM40-75 million per km or approximately 7-10 billion, which would spare another RM30 billion for the rest of the country!


9) A complete mass-transit network

Mass-transit networks are vital for urban and suburban areas. Each economic region of Malaysia should have a complete public transport network and the backbone of this network comes from rail services. Instead of focusing on building "more lines" and "more extensions" the goal should be completing the network as quickly and effectively as possible. Once effective, rapid networks are in place, we can plan and upgrade capacity on the various lines. One day we will need more LRT and KTM Komuter in the Klang Valley, Rapid Trams in Georgetown, and Johor, and KTM Komuter Udara, Selatan and Timur, and high speed rail networks in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak. But until then, we have to focus on building realistic demand for public transportation services.


10) Affordable and reasonable fares

I disagree with any proposal that says that bus fares and public transport fares must be subsidized. Most people would assume that the "lower-income group" comprise the majority of public transport users, and therefore subsidies would be necessary. However, this only perpetuates the image that public transport is for the lower-income group and the poor.

The fact is that low fares have brought us into this situation of low-quality service. Effectively, we get what we pay for. So if we wish to see public transportation improve, we will have to invest more money into our services and that includes higher fares.

At the same time, higher fares do not have to be a burden. Under the system of regulated competition, the local authority would be able to run the fare system and they would be the best choice to implement the subsidy for operators. The local authority can also provide support to the needy in the form of free bus passes or discounted bus passes. They can also encourage fare-saving promotions, fare discounts for using Touch N Go, and even income tax credits for those who purchase monthly and weekly passes.


Credit to kitchenaid parts for giving this nice ideas.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008


Local Buses – Japan

In Tokyo, Osaka and some other large cities, buses serve as a secondary means of public transportation, complementing the train and subway networks. In cities with less dense train networks like Kyoto, buses are the main means of public transportation.
Buses also serve smaller towns, the countryside and national parks. Major cities are, furthermore, linked by highway and long distance buses.

TRANSPORTATION IN JAPAN


Domestic Air Travel – Japan

Airlines

Domestic air travel is dominated by the JAL Group and the ANA Group, which each consist of several airlines and serve over fifty airports across the country. In addition, there are several smaller airline companies competing with JAL and ANA on the country's most popular routes.
JAL Group (Japan Airlines)

The JAL Group consists of JAL Domestic and JAL International, as well as of several smaller airlines including Japan Transocean Air, Hokkaido Air System, Ryukyu Air Commuter and others. The JAL Group serves over 60 airports in Japan and operates approximately 650 domestic flights each day.
ANA Group (All Nippon Airways)
The ANA Group consists of All Nippon Airways, as well as several smaller airlines such as Air Nippon. The ANA Group serves over 50 airports in Japan and operates approximately 850 domestic flights each day.

Airports

Tokyo's Haneda Airport is by far Japan's busiest airport, handling most of the capital's domestic flights. Tokyo's Narita Airport handles mostly international flights and only a very small number of domestic flights.
Osaka's Kansai Airport serves both, international and domestic flights. It took over a large share of traffic (mainly international) formerly handled by Osaka's second airport, Itami Airport. Nevertheless, Itami Airport remains Japan's second busiest hub for domestic air traffic.
Other major airports in Japan include Nagoya's Central Japan Airport, Fukuoka Airport, Sapporo's Shin-Chirose Airport, Kobe Airport and Okinawa's Naha Airport. See a few more important airports on the map below:

Monday, December 22, 2008

TRANSPORTATION IN JAPAN



Public Transportation – Japan

Japan has an efficient public transportation network, especially within metropolitan areas and between the large cities. Japanese public transportation is characterized by its punctuality, its superb service, and the large crowds of people using it.


Trains - Japan

Japan's four major islands, Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku are covered by an extensive and reliable network of railways. Trains are a very convenient way for visitors to travel around Japan, especially in conjunction with the Japan Rail Pass.
About 70 percent of Japan's railway network is owned and operated by the Japan Railways (JR), while the remaining 30 percent belongs to dozens of other private railway companies, especially in and around metropolitan areas.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Information on Sea Transportation - Malaysia

Many popular island destinations like Langkawi, Pangkor, Redang and Tioman are linked to the mainland by regular ferry services. Other smaller islands are accessible by fishing boats, which may be chartered.

Ferry services are also available from Tanjung Belungkor, Kukup, Desaru, Johor Bahru Duty Free Zone and Sebana Cove (all in Johor) to the neighbouring islands in the south and from Butterworth to Penang.
There are a number of cruise liners which call onMalaysian ports. One of which, Star Cruises is Malaysian-owned and operated.

Information on Air Transport - Malaysia


The Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is known throughout the region and is recognized as one of the more modern airports in the world. Along with other international airports in Penang, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu and domestic airports in most state capitals, access to air travel is readily available to many.
In addition, KLIA also has a Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) designed specifically for low cost carriers. Located 20km from the main terminal, the LCCT can be accessed by car, train and bus.

Malaysia Airlines, the national carrier, currently flies to many destinations worldwide. It provides access to other states within both Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia.
Asia's most popular budget airline, Air Asia started and is based in Malaysia. Air Asia flies to many locations both domestically and regionally.

Information on Public Land Transport - Malaysia

Buses and taxis are most popular form of transport in Malaysia. Air-conditioned express buses and non-air-conditioned regional buses are available from Kuala Lumpur to many other towns in Peninsular Malaysia, and also between other towns and cities in Malaysia. Buses connecting towns and cities throughout the country charge fares according to the distance covered.
City taxis are required by law to use the meter. There are also minivan type taxis for carrying larger parties and these fares are usually higher.
There is a system of Light Rail Transit (LRT) and a monorail service in Kuala Lumpur.

Limousine and taxi services are available from the airport to hotels in the city as well as other locations. There is also the option of taking the Express Rail Link (ERL) from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Kuala Lumpur Sentral Station, which is located close to the city.
Interstate taxis are an inexpensive and fast way to travel from one state to another. The interstate taxi stand in Kuala Lumpur is located on the level 2 of the Pudu Raya Bus Terminal.
Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTM) has a rail network that stretches from north to south and east to west in Peninsular Malaysia. There is a system of light rail transit (LRT) and monorail service in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. KTM offers several special deals for tourists.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Public transport (or public transportation, public transit or mass transit) comprises passenger transportation services which are available for use by the general public, as opposed to modes for private use such as automobiles or vehicles for hire. Some services are free though most charge some sort of fare.
Public transportation can consist of buses, subways, trolleys and light rail, commuter trains, van pool services, paratransit services for senior citizens and people with disabilities, ferries, water taxis, or monorails.

Public transport is provided by a company or authority that operate a fleet of vehicles. They may or may not be regulated or subsidized by authorities. The infrastructure used may be exclusive, or shared with private vehicles. Higher public transport ridership is generally seen in urban areas, and less in North America and Australia. The environmental impact of public transport is lower than private due to less use of land area and energy, at the same time reducing sprawl. Public transportation systems are also significantly safer than private road systems.

Monday, December 15, 2008

QUALITY OF LIFE

Quality of life is the degree of well-being felt by an individual or group of people. Unlike standard of living, quality of life is not a tangible thing, and so cannot be measured directly. It consists of two components: physical and psychological. The physical aspect includes things such as health, diet, and protection against pain and disease. The psychological aspect includes stress, worry, pleasure and other positive or negative emotional states.


Component in Quality of Life
  • housing quality
  • housing environment
  • public transportation
  • public savety
  • economic aspect
  • infrastructure and public facilities
  • community / social aspect
  • health
  • education
  • governance /participating planning