Public Transportation in Kuala Lumpur

According to Jeffrey Sachs Center on Sustainable Development (Sunway University), 7,152 people died on Malaysian roads in 2016. This is 20 deaths every day and costs the country over RM9 billion. Malaysia is ranked 3^rd highest in terms of deadliest roads in the world by WHO.

As of 2014, Malaysia had the 3^rd highest rate of car ownership in the world – 93% of households own a car. Residents of Greater Kuala Lumpur spend more than 250 million hours a year stuck in traffic. And that is around 20 days a year per person. Only about 17% of commuters use public transport in Kuala Lumpur compared to 62% in Singapore and 80% in Hong Kong. The hope is for 40% of commuters to use public transport by 2030.

Urbanisation impacts productivity and economic opportunity. It helps raise income levels and reduce poverty. But congestion threatens to dampen benefits.

A 2016 Khazanah Research Institute study found 24% of children born to low-skilled parents remained low-skilled and 46% of children born to parents in B40 remained in B40. An important factor that could improve socio-economic standing is access to transportation.  Transportation facilitates going to schools, jobs and meeting health needs. Without reliable transportation, low income urban households are at a distinct disadvantage.

The approximate monthly transport expenditure for someone who drives from OUG to Petaling Jaya is around RM1,200. Using public transport is estimated to be 70-80% cheaper. For someone living in Rawang and working in Bangsar, the daily public transport cost is RM14 (two-way). For a five-day week that will total RM280-300 a month. This is still cheaper than using a private vehicle.

The real bane in KL’s public transport is the first-mile – last-mile issue. If it rains then it will be difficult to leave home and get to office or from office to a train station (unless it is linked). This is less so in Hong Kong where covered pedestrian walkways or through malls ensures ease of movement. It is for the authorities to examine this critical point to encourage more onto public transport.

References:

1.      Many benefits for commuters opting to use public transport, Grace Chen, the Star, 25 Nov 2015.

2.      The case for sustainable urban transportation for Malaysia, Cara Kennedy-Cuomo, Jeffrey Sachs Center for Sustainable Development, Sunway University

3.         Improving urban transportation for upward social mobility in Malaysia, The World Bank