Budget 2024: RM600mil for 150 buses?

 

Regular users of the LRT and MRT cannot help but notice the glaring inefficiencies of Rapid KL’s feeder buses.

Intended to provide seamless connectivity for passengers traveling to and from stations, these buses now find their pivotal roles being overshadowed by a plethora of transportation alternatives such as private vehicles, taxis, Grab, motorcycles, bicycles, and even those who choose the simple act of walking.

It is not uncommon to see these costly single-deck buses, which the government has poured significant funds into, trundling along their routes with scant passengers or, even worse, entirely empty.

The government’s mission to fortify the first and last-mile connectivity across all LRT, MRT, and KTM commuter stations and foster an environment conducive for more Malaysians to opt for public transport is commendable.

However, the evident underutilisation of these buses raises questions about their actual effectiveness and the strategy behind their deployment.

It is distressing to consider the funds allocated for these buses as potential wastage.

Every ringgit used inefficiently is a missed opportunity, a resource that could have been better used elsewhere for the benefit of the Malaysian public.

Raised in Parliament

Puchong MP Yeo Bee Yin, brought this issue into sharper focus during a recent parliamentary session.

Her pertinent question resonates with many: Why is there a proposal in the 2024 Budget to channel RM600 million towards the acquisition of 150 more of these scarcely-used buses?

The proposed allocation warrants deeper scrutiny.

Simple Question

Before diving headlong into another hefty investment, it is imperative for the government to undertake a comprehensive review. They should determine the reasons behind the underutilisation of the existing fleet.

Is it on account of route planning? Wrong timing? The long waiting time faced by passengers? A lack of comfort?

Or is it perhaps a larger systemic issue concerning the wrong bus size altogether?

Has the government gone down to the ground to ask passengers why they do not use the buses provided?

Surely it cannot be too difficult to elicit responses from the travelling public. The point of the matter is that these factors need to be addressed before more investment is made.

Pumping funds into a system without understanding its core challenges will only perpetuate inefficiencies.

I have suggested several key initiatives for the government to consider which will not cost anywhere near a funds injection of RM600 million.

It is high time to reconsider, reflect, and recalibrate our strategy to ensure public funds genuinely contribute to enhancing public transportation for all Malaysians. - FMT

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.