Aye to demand-responsive transit service

Last-mile issue: Feeder bus services can be poor especially during peak hours.

RECENTLY, Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced his ministry’s plan to introduce the on-demand transit van service or demand-responsive transit (DRT) in the Klang Valley.

He also said that part of the RM50mil allocation under Budget 2024 to enhance public transport inter-connectivity would be used to purchase the vans, and Prasarana Malaysia Berhad (Prasarana) would be tasked to oversee the operations, “Transport Ministry to introduce on-demand transit van service to improve public transport” (The Star, Dec 17, 2023).

This is indeed a move in the right direction, but too little too late, in my opinion. As we know, billions of ringgit have been spent to build the MRT, LRT and KTM Komuter services, especially in the Klang Valley.

Unfortunately, public transport is still not the first option for most people due to first-and-last-mile connectivity issues.

Simply put, many commuters have problems reaching the main arteries of public transport, such as MRT stations, or reaching their final destination after getting off the train or bus.

This could be due to poor feeder bus services, which can be irregular especially during peak hours. Besides, feeder bus services serve limited areas only.

This is why some property developers go out of their way to link up their projects with the main arteries of the public transport system. Some build connecting bridges and others provide feeder bus services to the nearby rail networks.

Recently, a property developer in Subang tied up with an ehailing bus/van provider to provide connectivity between its real estate property comprising residential, commercial as well as a popular college and the nearby train stations.

This is an innovative solution for those who frequent the area, such as students and workers, besides the residents.

Be that as it may, innovative developers can only do so much as affordable ehailing services operate only in selected areas now. The funds allocated to address the first-and-last-mile transport woes is only a tiny drop in the ocean to overcome this problem.

The government needs to urgently spend more on this project and expand the coverage to as many places as possible. Only then will Malaysians, especially those living in the Klang Valley, turn to public transport as a viable option.

JAMES CHAI

Subang Jaya