Survey: Punctuality, expensive fares major public transport issues

A UCSI Poll Research Centre survey on public transport in Malaysia revealed that punctuality, connectivity and expensive fares are still major issues affecting those who take public transport.

A total of 1,029 respondents participated in this study, of whom, 67 percent use public transport to travel.

On the challenges public transport users faced, 54 percent stated a lack of punctuality, 48 percent mentioned poor last-mile connectivity and 47 percent perceived fares as being expensive.

On reliability, punctuality and cleanliness of public transport, 53 percent were dissatisfied with unreliability, 60 percent were dissatisfied with lack of punctuality and 47 percent were dissatisfied with poor cleanliness.

Nonetheless, despite these challenges, public transport continued to be in common usage - with 39 percent citing that they have no personal vehicle, 25 percent using it due to traffic congestion and 18 percent facing inadequacy of parking facilities and the cost incurred.

On the frequency of public transport usage, 39 percent uses it frequently, 32 percent commute once in a while and 29 percent rarely used it.

According to the survey, out of respondents who do not commute using public transport, 33 percent stated that they have a personal vehicle and 19 percent do not use public transport due to flexibility and safety concerns - as well as the limited area coverage.

Last month, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said that the Light Rail Transit 3 (LRT3) is expected to commence operation on March 1, 2025, and is expected to benefit two million residents.

He said the LRT3 project is now being implemented, with construction progress at 86 percent.

“Construction is almost completed, and now the work is on the signalling system and others.

“LRT3 is expected to begin operation on March 1, 2025 - 18 to 19 months from now - and we expect it to benefit two million residents around the west coast of Klang Valley, especially from Petaling Jaya to Klang,” said Loke. - Mkini