Realistic perspectives on the state of public

transport

ABF Public Transport Forum

October 28-29, 2008

Presentation Structure

Introductions – who we are Resolving Public Transport Issues in Malaysia User Perspectives on Public Transport

From a public transport operator From a public transport thinker

Summary of Issues Realistic improvements to Public Transport Making it happen Conclusion

Who we are

Halimah Abdullah Founder of Persatuan MOBILITI MOBILITI - A public transport operator in the industry –

focusing on accessible transportation Believes that all operators need more resources to meet

demand for public transport

Who we are

Moaz Yusuf Ahmad Public transport user Public transport thinker Advisor to the Association for the Improvement of

Mass Transit (TRANSIT) – Klang Valley Officer of the Pahlawan Volunteers

Resolving Public Transport Issues in Malaysia

MYTH: Public Transport is a mobility service for poor people

Hence the following views prevail: Investment in private transport is more important for

the nation than investment in public transport Supporting the needs of private transport users is a

priority in Malaysia No “choice users” of public transport But we should give the users the cheap, basic service

that they want/need Improvements to public transport require large-scale

investments such as LRT or monorail projects

Resolving Public Transport Issues in Malaysia Public transport provides 3 functions for

society Mobility for those not using private transport Development tool to reduce infrastructure costs A business operation with potential for profits

Investment in public transport is investment in critical communications infrastructure

Far less money has been invested properly into public transport than in other infrastructure

Realistic Improvements

We need to explore all functions of public transport when we plan, regulate, and operate these services

Also consider the following: Is the service providing universal accessibility? Is the service affordable to users? Is the service planned and implemented to

enhance development and reduce other infrastructure costs?

Have we maximized the benefits and minimized the costs?

Accessibility Issues

Concept of Universal Accessibility is not “built-in” to urban planning and architecture or public transport planning Buses Totally inaccessible KTM (Intercity & Komuter)

Only 3 Komuter stations are accessible at present Construction of lifts at major stations

LRT/Monorail Kelena Jaya line is accessible but overcrowded Ampang line is inaccessible Monorail is inaccessible but “designed to be renovated”

Universal Accessibility/Design

NOT just “facilities for the disabled” simplify access to life for everyone Meet the needs of people of all ages and abilities

"Universal design is the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design."

–Ron Mace

Accessibility Issues

Concept of Universal Accessibility is not “built-in” to urban planning and architecture or public transport planning Taxi services

Inaccessible to those in electric wheelchairs or those who cannot transfer from wheelchairs easily

Reluctant to take disabled passengers Often overcharging disabled passengers

Overall public transport services are not designed for universal accessibility BUT: accessibility makes a huge difference in passenger demand!

The Mobiliti service MOBILITI operates a “door to door” transport service,

8.00am – 5.00pm Monday – Friday and Saturday mornings. We cover the whole of the Klang Valley.

MOBILITI has 5 vans on the road – all fitted with hydraulic lifts and wheelchair restraint systems that enables our passengers to travel without having to transfer from their wheelchairs.

Plus one van with seats for passengers with other types of disability

Passengers are charged RM 3.00 per journey (one way) irrespective of the distance involved

Passengers are required to book in advance. Unfortunately we still have to reject requests every day as our vans are running at maximum capacity.

Mobiliti’s Fleet

Accessibility needs

Accept that Universal Accessibility is the goal that we must strive for

The costs are less if we do things properly, and early on

Being accessible is being convenient for all users hence, being profitable

BEAT-KL and other groups have the detailed information & LOCAL & international standards

We need the political and social will and to engage the community before, not after!

Affordability for all sides

Cost of bus and vehicle operations has increased over time Tires, batteries, chassis, coachwork

Fares fixed by Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board Delay in increases of fares

Subsidized diesel offered by Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Diesel supply is inadequate for many operators Civil service time lag and bureaucracy

Affordability for all sides Bus operators face

competition and reduced profits as a result of government regulations

Down-spiral effect caused by poor planning Lower profits Reduced service quality Reduced customer demand Reduced profits Reduced economic

growth and higher infrastructure costs

Lower profits

Reduced service quality

Lower Demand

Affordability for all sides

Do fares need to be so low when other options exist? Fare rebates Mobility allowances Discounts for loyal users, special groups

Collective Benefits, Collective Responsibility Use government funds to offset operational costs Exemplary services often have government

funding to offset operational costs

Enhancing Development and Reducing Infrastructure Costs

Urban growth may be “planned” but often leads to urban sprawl More than 1000 suburban “housing estates” in the Klang Valley

Suburban and exurban communities are often “low-density” Transport infrastructure is often inadequate Providing infrastructure is costly for local

councils/government Mobility requires private transportation money

“Automobile apartheid”

Infrastructure is inadequate How long can it last?

Transit-oriented Development

Communities designed around public transport hubs

Pedestrian and people friendly

Economically sustainable if planned properly

Lowers taxes and infrastructure costs

Maximizing benefits, minimizing costs

Bring public transport to more people Indiscriminate LRT expansion not needed Go back to the RapidKL “hub-and-spoke” model

used from 2006-2007 This time, we make it work!

Authority builds vital infrastructure (hubs, lanes) Authority directs local councils to identify bus routes All bus operators under contract to Authority Packaging of “Areas” will combine lucrative trunk

routes with express and suburban routes

TRANSIT’s “Strategic Plan” Our “Strategic Plan” - Start from the basics

Make the bus service work well Enhance the bus services by introducing critical

infrastructure (lanes, hubs) Introduce “Quality Bus” or “Rapid Transit”

services to improve speed, frequency, reliability Local / Regional Public Transport Authorities

RapidKL & RapidPg supporting the Authorities Bus operators under contract to Authorities Public feedback becomes important

When we invest we must consider: How many passengers per direction per hour? Choose the appropriate technology to meet our needs

maximize benefits at the lowest cost! Mass-Transit only when demand is proven For congested urban areas, monorail may be a more cost-

effective solution than LRT Rapid Transit on main roads (BRT, Trams) and

expressways (ERT) is the best way to quickly introduce rapid transit to our communities Uses the existing (and paid-for) road infrastructure Construction costs are lower so more km of routes Can be built faster and fine-tuned more easily

TRANSIT’s “Strategic Plan”

Moving 10,000 passengers/d/h

Conclusion

Many issues in public transportation Operators are hurting because of excess

competition, government regulation Accessibility must be a vital part of public

transport planning and operations Development must consider public transport Public transport must follow a growth process Maximize benefits and decrease costs Find and apply realistic, “quick-win” solutions

Thank you for your time

Halimah Abdullah on behalf of MOBILITI http://mobiliti.org.my mobiliti@po.jaring.my

Moaz Yusuf Ahmad on behalf of TRANSIT http://transitmy.org Klangvalley.transit@gmail.com

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