As a KL local, KL has a pretty good transit system to get you to important locales but the end to end connection is still a bit lacking (insufficient buses or other transportation links that connects residential areas to the stations etc).
The park and ride system at several stations is pretty quaint but represents an unnecessary additional cost in terms of parking fees.
Recently ridership had seen an increase due to the launch of the MY50 transit pass initiative to get more people off their cars and into public transits but it won't resolve the issue of lack of investments in making it easy for people to get to the station in the first place.
I think the fundamental issue is that transit is mostly as competitive as its going to be without cars becoming significantly less attractive as an option. Its worth looking at Singapore and how it has restricted car use as an example!
The COE system is definitely something to look at but I doubt there will be any political will do so as it'll quite severely impact our own national automotive industry, the Perodua Bezza and Myvi being the best selling local brands, beating foreign brands by a good mile.
The last mile connectivity is probably what is hamstringing our transit system given how the city was initially built without proper rail transit in mind.
Moreover given how underdeveloped the transit system is outside of KL/Selangor, having a car is almost a necessity to get around, unfortunately.
Great post Reece. Looking at the broader context there's an important and influential oil company as a major economic player, perhaps THE major player, and the long rule of the famously car enthusiastic Mahathir, with two national car manufacturers (Perodua and Proton) making very affordable cars, and with petrol costs one fifth of European prices. The corrupt crony capitalism of road building in Malaysia is well known, with fortunes made by building unnecessarily large and sinuous roads. Basically it's a playbook for induced demand - build the infrastructure AND the cars AND provide cheap fuel and there is no way that you don't get a car centric culture. The irony is that whether by car or by public transport getting from A to B anywhere in the Klang Valley is rarely easy or enjoyable, yet on a material level the roads and public transport components are of a standard of quality that would be the envy of any city or country.
It is a very interesting case of a developing city with incredibly comprehensive road infrastructure that has PT, but with limited reason for residents to actually use it!
While the KTM Komuter service is bad, it's not as bad as the trains (Class 81,83 and 92) which are poorly maintained and (in the class 92's case) severely vandalized.
As a KL local, KL has a pretty good transit system to get you to important locales but the end to end connection is still a bit lacking (insufficient buses or other transportation links that connects residential areas to the stations etc).
The park and ride system at several stations is pretty quaint but represents an unnecessary additional cost in terms of parking fees.
Recently ridership had seen an increase due to the launch of the MY50 transit pass initiative to get more people off their cars and into public transits but it won't resolve the issue of lack of investments in making it easy for people to get to the station in the first place.
A very good piece I might add.
Thanks for reading!
I think the fundamental issue is that transit is mostly as competitive as its going to be without cars becoming significantly less attractive as an option. Its worth looking at Singapore and how it has restricted car use as an example!
The COE system is definitely something to look at but I doubt there will be any political will do so as it'll quite severely impact our own national automotive industry, the Perodua Bezza and Myvi being the best selling local brands, beating foreign brands by a good mile.
The last mile connectivity is probably what is hamstringing our transit system given how the city was initially built without proper rail transit in mind.
Moreover given how underdeveloped the transit system is outside of KL/Selangor, having a car is almost a necessity to get around, unfortunately.
Great post Reece. Looking at the broader context there's an important and influential oil company as a major economic player, perhaps THE major player, and the long rule of the famously car enthusiastic Mahathir, with two national car manufacturers (Perodua and Proton) making very affordable cars, and with petrol costs one fifth of European prices. The corrupt crony capitalism of road building in Malaysia is well known, with fortunes made by building unnecessarily large and sinuous roads. Basically it's a playbook for induced demand - build the infrastructure AND the cars AND provide cheap fuel and there is no way that you don't get a car centric culture. The irony is that whether by car or by public transport getting from A to B anywhere in the Klang Valley is rarely easy or enjoyable, yet on a material level the roads and public transport components are of a standard of quality that would be the envy of any city or country.
It is a very interesting case of a developing city with incredibly comprehensive road infrastructure that has PT, but with limited reason for residents to actually use it!
Nice to see an article on KL! Hope the video comes out soon
Already here!
https://youtu.be/8K88JvLk9gE?si=4thLPxePAcxktm9h
It is impressive how extensive KL’s transit system is...in a metropolis teeming with houston-raquel highways
Exactly, its probably got the most lane miles + transit miles per capita out there!
Have you ever visited Kuala Lumpur?
Yessir!
Nice, was it recent? And how was your experience?
Not that recent, the city reminded me a lot of a less dry Dubai, big roads and a nice metro with lots of malls, not pedestrian friendly
While the KTM Komuter service is bad, it's not as bad as the trains (Class 81,83 and 92) which are poorly maintained and (in the class 92's case) severely vandalized.