Make public transport work for everyone

We still need to improve the integration of our public transport services. — The Star

AS Malaysia welcomed Asean delegates, Kuala Lumpur felt like a maze of blocked roads and detours. PLUS Malaysia Berhad announced phased closures on major highways, including the KLIA-Putrajaya Elite and the NKVE (Subang-Jalan Duta), to facilitate VIP movement during the summit.

With roads closed, commuters were told to “make full use of public transport”, as advised by Prasarana Malaysia Berhad. Yet, buses were not given priority lanes or clear rerouting alternatives, leaving many working-class riders stuck in traffic without viable options.

To their credit, Rapid KL extended peak-hour train services and deployed 400 additional staff to manage the expected crowd. However, the solution still fell short.

Public transport in Malaysia continues to suffer from two fundamental issues, poor integration and limited accessibility.

During the summit, many were told to “just take the MRT”. But for those living in areas like Pandan Indah or Taman Mulia Jaya where buses were delayed, the nearest station wasn’t always walkable, especially for seniors, and no additional feeder buses or park-and-ride services were deployed.

With few options, many had to walk long distances or rely on e-hailing services.

Areas like Bukit Bintang, Chow Kit and Brickfields are popular among foreign visitors due to their proximity to attractions, shopping and cultural sites. However, despite their popularity, these neighbourhoods often suffer from poor pedestrian connectivity, limited signage and disjointed walkways.

In comparison, Singapore implemented the Walk2Ride initiative which provides sheltered walkways within a 400m radius of MRT stations and 200m of bus interchanges, LRT stations and selected bus stops.

If Malaysia wants to lead Asean by example, a practical and cost-effective step would be to expand shaded, accessible walkways and improve signage to connect MRT and LRT stations with important city destinations.

According to “The Utilisation Rates of Pedestrian Bridges in Malaysia” study, the construc­tion cost of such infrastructure ranges from RM300,000 to RM1mil per kilometre depending on the design.

A two to three kilometre network around transport hubs like KLCC would be far more affordable than building new highways or rail lines and far more visible during high-profile events like the Asean Summit.

Moreover, the Kuala Lumpur Low Carbon Society Blueprint 2030 (KL LCSBP 2030) developed by Kuala City Hall emphasises the importance of building walkable, cycle-friendly cities as part of sustainable urban mobility.

When our cities fail to connect people to public transport, we lose more than convenience, we erode public confidence in the system. If Malaysia truly wants to welcome the world, our cities must work for everyone, for the people who live here and for those visiting for the first time.

Yap Wen Min

Policy Analyst HEYA Inc

Kuala Lumpur