Transport expert hails MRT’s promise of infrastructure, service improvements

 

MRT CEO Zarif Hashim has said service enhancements are being made in tandem with the construction of the MRT3 Circle Line.

PETALING JAYA: A transport consultant has lauded Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) CEO Zarif Hashim’s promise that MRT infrastructure improvements will be backed by service enhancements.

Goh Bok Yen welcomed the mooted digitalisation efforts by the public transportation player, saying a good strategy was needed to adjust the mobility habits of Malaysians.

“No matter how good the public transport system is, without a good strategy in place to discourage the use of private vehicles, there is no way to encourage greater use of transit networks in Kuala Lumpur and the Klang Valley,” he told FMT.

Recently, Zarif said service enhancements were being made in tandem with the construction of the MRT3 Circle Line, adding that Prasarana Malaysia Bhd, which operates the MRT lines, is making investments in technology to ensure further digitalisation of public transport.

Goh Bok Yen.

“This will include every single form of mobility such as car-sharing, taxi and e-hailing, bicycles and even personal vehicles and walking.

“Through digitalisation efforts and better integration, commuters will be able to use their time more efficiently as they will know easily where and how to connect to the various lines within the transit network,” he said.

Goh said that overall, the MRT3 project had the right approach in attempting to integrate different forms of mobility but stressed that it remained a challenge to convince the public to leave their cars behind.

He said that with the completion of the circle line, the infrastructure would be in place and all that remained was to fully integrate all forms of transportation within the city in a seamless manner.

Aziz Kaprawi.

Praising the digitalisation efforts to improve overall connectivity, former deputy transport minister Aziz Kaprawi said it was crucial for transportation service providers to show that the transit systems were convenient, cheap and people-friendly.

He said this was what commuters looked for most, and that the government should incentivise the use of public transport.

“The government could provide incentives to commuters, such as providing discounts for rides the more they use public transport,” he said. “These forms of incentives will encourage greater use of the transit network.”

Aziz also said the government should emulate big cities like London and Singapore in introducing congestion charges and increasing parking rates throughout Kuala Lumpur.

He urged the transport ministry to take on an active role in uniting the various transportation service providers and leading the digitalisation efforts to improve mobility and connectivity in Kuala Lumpur. - FMT