Public transit systems require intricate planning, long-term vision

 

From Amanina Hussain

Columnist Rosli Khan’s critique of Malaysia’s rail-based transit systems reflects a narrow understanding of the intricate planning and long-term vision behind these projects.

While it is essential to acknowledge the challenges, the dismissive tone toward MRT1, MRT2, and the proposed MRT3 overlooks their transformative potential for Malaysia’s urban and economic future.

The relentless focus on costs misrepresents the nature of public infrastructure investment, which cannot be evaluated merely by immediate returns. Public transit systems serve as tools for nation-building, connecting people to opportunities, reducing inequality, and enhancing the quality of life. These benefits are not easily quantified but are no less significant.

Rail systems stimulate local economies, create jobs and increase property values in surrounding areas. Furthermore, they reduce reliance on private vehicles, curbing traffic congestion and lowering carbon emissions, which is an indispensable factor in addressing the environmental challenges posed by urbanisation.

Criticism of the MRT alignments demonstrates a lack of appreciation for the balancing act required during route planning. Aligning transit systems along highways and government land minimises disruptions, keeping displacement and public dissatisfaction to a minimum.

Large-scale private land acquisition, while ideal for deeper residential penetration, would provoke resistance, inflate costs and delay implementation. Aligning tracks along major roads also ensures straighter routes, reducing operational inefficiencies and unnecessary construction expenses.

Although such decisions may not achieve perfection, they reflect thoughtful compromises to balance accessibility, feasibility and cost.

Station placement, another point of contention raised by the writer, requires a similar lens of practicality. While some stations may seem inconveniently located, many are positioned to maximise overall accessibility rather than catering solely to residential clusters.

Stations along busy roads provide essential options for commuters using buses, taxis or private vehicles. Moreover, the absence of park-and-ride facilities at certain stations is not indicative of poor planning but rather of urban land constraints.

Strengthening feeder connectivity, such as expanding park-and-ride systems and shuttle services, offers realistic solutions to overcome these limitations, as does improving pedestrian access with covered walkways and cycling lanes.

The writer’s claim that key catchment areas have been overlooked oversimplifies the evolving nature of urban planning. Areas like Kwasa Damansara, criticised for being underdeveloped, are envisioned as hubs of future growth.

Public transit often acts as a catalyst for development, transforming previously underutilised areas into vibrant economic zones over time. Moreover, expecting a single rail line to cover all high-demand regions is unrealistic; network expansions occur incrementally.

MRT1 and MRT2 set the groundwork for MRT3 to address previously unserved areas, enhancing the network’s capacity to deliver long-term benefits.

The critique of integration challenges overlooks the historical constraints of Malaysia’s transport network. Systems such as KTM and older LRT lines were designed before MRT systems were conceived, leaving gaps in integration that are now being addressed.

Retrofitting connectivity into pre-existing infrastructure is an inherently complex, resource-intensive process and can be disruptive to existing operations of the rail network.

Nonetheless, successful examples like the seamless interchange at Pasar Seni demonstrate that integration is achievable when prioritised.

MRT3, designed with modern requirements in mind, does largely address these gaps, improving connectivity and user convenience. Focusing on ensuring these improvements would offer a more constructive approach than dwelling on past limitations.

Calls to delay MRT3 ignore the opportunity to rectify earlier shortcomings while moving forward with necessary enhancements.

MRT3 provides a chance to refine alignment strategies, improve integration and expand feeder services, fulfilling the network’s promise to provide a more comprehensive solution to address congestion and improve urban mobility.

Abandoning or postponing the project would perpetuate the issues of traffic bottlenecks and limited access to public transportation, hampering the Klang Valley’s development.

A recurring flaw in the writer’s arguments is the oversimplification of planning challenges. Transit systems operate under constraints of space, cost and public acceptance.

These considerations drive decisions that may not seem ideal but are vital for ensuring feasibility and social harmony. For example, rail alignments prioritise minimal disruption to lives and livelihoods, enabling smoother project implementation.

Similarly, station placement along accessible corridors seeks to balance the needs of diverse commuters. Criticism of these choices without acknowledging the broader context unfairly dismisses the efforts of planners working within these constraints.

Finally, the writer fails to recognise the importance of future-proofing public transit. Infrastructure development is an investment in a nation’s long-term progress.

The benefits of projects like MRT3 extend far beyond their construction costs, contributing to enhanced mobility, reduced pollution, and improved quality of life for generations to come. Focusing solely on immediate costs or isolated shortcomings obscures the broader vision of sustainable urbanisation.

While the writer raises valid points about the challenges faced by Malaysia’s transit systems, the critique’s narrow focus overlooks the significant benefits and practical realities of such large-scale projects.

Public infrastructure requires a long-term perspective, balancing current constraints with the promise of sustained progress. By refining current plans and addressing past lessons, MRT3 can achieve its potential to become the cornerstone of an accessible, modern, and efficient transport system for Malaysia. - FMT

Amanina Hussain is an FMT reader.

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