Public Transport Updates

For the past few days, Klang Valley commuters have been blessed with some good news regarding the public transportation system. Here are a few:

• KTMB will introduce inter-city train service (ETS) from 1st April 2010 which will reduce travel time between Seremban and Ipoh to within 3 hours. Currently, there are shuttle services between KL and Ipoh which takes 3 hours. The ETS will be equipped with wi-fi, CCTV and disabled-friendly toilets among others. Commuters might have to pay a premium for this service but as long as the fare is below the express bus fare, I do think many will opt for this service to reduce travel time and for safety reasons.
  
• Land Public Transport Authority will be established and operational by the end of next year as a single industry "captain" to coordinate efforts across the entire public transport system. While I'm puzzled as why does it takes so long for the ministry to establish such authority, it's still a move in the right direction. I do hope the authority will eliminate non-coordination between the various government agencies.
  
• Service of new four-car train sets on the Kelana Jaya LRT line will be introduced by the end of this month thus enhancing its capacity from the current two-car train sets. This certainly is a good move to reduce congestion and enhancing its capacity. However, I would really like to see how the four-car train sets fit to the current LRT stations as most of the stations are designed for two-car train sets. The stations are shorter hence raise the questions how to fit longer trains. We'll see then.
• Dedicated bus lanes which are separated from normal roads by barriers will be built. The KL's bus rapid transit Corridor One would be introduced in 2011. This would be followed by Corridor Two and Three the following year. I'm not sure whether this is a good move or not. If a new separated bus lanes are introduced, I assume it will be single lane since our major roads are already occupying most of the areas. If it is single lane, it raises the question as whether the buses will need to queue as they can't overtake each other since the lanes are separated with barriers. If the buses need to queue up, will the service becomes faster or slower?
• Four bus expressway transit routes would be built next year. These would allow buses to travel along under-utilised highways to KL city centre with limited stops along the way. I would really like to know where are these transit stations located. Without over focusing on the rails system, the bus service is not neglected by the ministry. Well done!
• By 2011, 15 refurbished electric multiple units would be available for KTM Komuter. Currently, there are 23 to 25 running train sets and the figure is expected to increase to 80 sets by 2012. Komuter headways is expected to reduce to 7.5 minutes in 2012. It's really important for KTM Komuter to enhance its service since it's the one bringing commuters from outside of Klang Valley. 7.5 minutes is a good figure to start with.
  
• Best of all, discounted fare rates will be given to commuters who use Touch 'n Go cards by all operators beginning next year. This move will certainly encourage users to have the Touch 'n Go cards and reduce queuing at the stations for tickets.
  
• Last but not least, land clearing work for the main Putra Heights LRT station has started. Construction of the extended LRT lines is scheduled to begin in March next year and expected to complete by end of 2012. Please do whatever it takes to expedite the construction process. Klang Valley commuters are really in bad need for this extension to be completed soon.

Let's hope for the best for our own public transportation system.