DUE to the need to maximise space on board urban rail services, special women-only coaches have not been introduced in Prasarana Malaysia Bhd’s MRT, LRT and monorail services, the Dewan Rakyat was told.
“An efficient use of space will allow more passengers to be transported, and this is very important when trains are operating during peak hours,” said Transport Minister Anthony Loke in a parliamentary written reply dated March 20.
He also said Prasarana staff and the auxiliary police were always present to assist commuters and ensure safety.
He added that these Prasarana-operated rail services typically had high service frequencies, making it unnecessary to have women-only coaches.
Some LRT and monorail trains are still using two-car trains, making it impractical to incorporate female-only coaches.
“This could lead to congestion in the special coach.
“This is different with intercity trains such as the KTM Komuter, which has six cars in each train and is permitted to have special coaches for females,” said Loke.
It was reported in 2018 that KTM Komuter has 76 special train cars for women.
Loke was responding to Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (PH-Bandar Tun Razak), who asked when dedicated train cars for women would be introduced in Prasarana’s services.
Wan Azizah also asked about measures by the ministry to address Road Transport Department (JPJ) officers who are involved in abuse of power and wrongdoing.
In response, Loke said a JPJ integrity plan was currently being drafted, which will involve several activities and programmes.
“The Transport Ministry is also monitoring integrity issues among JPJ staff through enforcement, prevention, and education to curb all forms of corruption,” he said.
