Survey reveals LRT has become more popular in KL

The extension of LRT lines in and around the city has led to more people taking to travelling by rail.

KUALA LUMPUR: Improvements to the light rail transit (LRT) system in the Klang Valley have pleased those using the service.

This was indicated in a consumer satisfaction index survey conducted by the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD), its chief executive officer Mohd Azharuddin Mat Sah said today.

“More people are using LRT to avoid parking and traffic issues.

“And they are using taxis to avoid parking issues,” he said.

This has resulted in the taxi customer satisfaction index showing 93% of travellers happy with the service last year compared with 64% in 2015.

This is surprising as in the past people have been complaining about the poor taxi service in the city, with many taxi-drivers charging steep prices and refusing to go to certain areas during peak hours.

Azharuddin said the survey data found commuters were satisfied with rail services mainly due to the extension of the Kelana Jaya and Ampang LRT lines.

The LRT achieved 84% customer satisfaction last year compared with 74% in 2015, suggesting there is likelihood of even more people using this mode of public transport in future.

In comparison with 2015, the Kelana Jaya line saw the most noticeable hike in ridership in 2016 with a 16% increase to 96%, while the Ampang line recorded a 8% increase to 85%.

The Greater Klang Valley average daily rail ridership also increased by 14% in the first quarter of this year at 654,982 compared with 573,336 in the corresponding period last year.

Azharuddin said the top reason for office workers and shoppers opting for public transport was to avoid parking hassles.

“They also do not have to worry about dealing with heavy traffic during the peak hours.”

The survey was conducted in December last year with face-to-face random interviews with 2,198 people in various locations in and around the city.

Customer satisfaction towards stage and feeder bus services has also risen from 74% in 2015 to 82% last year.

However, the completion of the LRT extension project, which joined the Ampang and Kelana Jaya lines at Putra Heights in July 2016, has led to a drop in the use of buses as a preferred mode from 38% in 2015 to 32% in 2016.

This shift was also reflected in the marginal 1% drop in average daily ridership for buses at 474,406 in the first quarter of this year compared with 477,027 in the same period last year.

The survey indicated people use buses since it is cheaper than other modes of public transport. --FMT