‘Have more initiatives to encourage use of public transport’

KUALA LUMPUR: The government is urged to expand its existing initiatives in the public transport sector to reduce the cost of living.

Universiti Putra Malaysia economic analyst Assoc Prof Dr Mohd Yusof Saari said incentives such as unlimited travel passes of My100 and My50 which benefit consumers who choose public transport as their preferred choice of mobility, should be continued.

He said minibus service should be expanded due to the high demand, especially in the residential areas of the city.

“The introduction of a minibus is a good thing because we know that some public transport cannot provide services to certain housing areas. Now the problem is inefficient connectivity, ” he said yesterday.

To encourage people to use public transport, he proposed the use of a single-ticket system to ease mobility and reduce consumer costs.

“Consumers do not have to get multiple tickets. Currently, the difficult thing is to go from one place to another, a person has to buy separate tickets. That is not time- or cost-effective, ” he said.

On public transportation in rural areas, Prof Yusof said the government needed to think of a more convenient and flexible way, yet without the need for high expenses.

Citing examples in Sabah, he said there were some interior areas that use van services to help ease the commute for the locals.

“Short routes such as from villages on the outskirts of the city, into the city centre do not require bus services as it is not cost-effective based on the sparse population.

“So travelling by van is easier and cheaper, ” said Prof Yusof.

Malaysian Institute of Transport deputy director (Industry Network & Commercialisation), Dr Shahrin Nasir also agreed that the unlimited travel pass should continue as it has a positive impact, especially in reducing the cost of living.

He said it would be better if such facilities were extended to other cities around the country so more people could feel the government’s effort. — Bernama