Realistic perspectives on the state of public transport

1. Realistic perspectives on the state of public transport ABF Public Transport Forum October 28-29, 2008

2. Presentation Structure • Introductions – who we are • Resolving Public Transport Issues in Malaysia • User Perspectives on Public Transport • From a public transport operator • From a public transport thinker • Summary of Issues • Realistic improvements to Public Transport • Making it happen • Conclusion

3. Who we are • Halimah Abdullah • Founder of Persatuan MOBILITI • MOBILITI - A public transport operator in the industry – focusing on accessible transportation • Believes that all operators need more resources to meet demand for public transport

4. Who we are • Moaz Yusuf Ahmad • Public transport user • Public transport thinker • Advisor to the Association for the Improvement of Mass Transit (TRANSIT) – Klang Valley • Officer of the Pahlawan Volunteers

5. Resolving Public Transport Issues in Malaysia MYTH: • Public Transport is a mobility service for poor people Hence the following views prevail: • Investment in private transport is more important for the nation than investment in public transport • Supporting the needs of private transport users is a priority in Malaysia • No “choice users” of public transport • But we should give the users the cheap, basic service that they want/need • Improvements to public transport require large-scale investments such as LRT or monorail projects

6. Resolving Public Transport Issues in Malaysia • Public transport provides 3 functions for society • Mobility for those not using private transport • Development tool to reduce infrastructure costs • A business operation with potential for profits • Investment in public transport is investment in critical communications infrastructure • Far less money has been invested properly into public transport than in other infrastructure

7. Realistic Improvements • We need to explore all functions of public transport when we plan, regulate, and operate these services • Also consider the following: • Is the service providing universal accessibility? • Is the service affordable to users? • Is the service planned and implemented to enhance development and reduce other infrastructure costs? • Have we maximized the benefits and minimized the costs?

8. Accessibility Issues • Concept of Universal Accessibility is not “built-in” to urban planning and architecture or public transport planning • Buses  Totally inaccessible • KTM (Intercity & Komuter) • Only 3 Komuter stations are accessible at present • Construction of lifts at major stations • LRT/Monorail • Kelena Jaya line is accessible but overcrowded • Ampang line is inaccessible • Monorail is inaccessible but “designed to be renovated”

9. Universal Accessibility/Design • NOT just “facilities for the disabled” • simplify access to life for everyone • Meet the needs of people of all ages and abilities • "Universal design is the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design."–Ron Mace

10. Accessibility Issues • Concept of Universal Accessibility is not “built-in” to urban planning and architecture or public transport planning • Taxi services • Inaccessible to those in electric wheelchairs or those who cannot transfer from wheelchairs easily • Reluctant to take disabled passengers • Often overcharging disabled passengers • Overall public transport services are not designed for universal accessibility BUT: accessibility makes a huge difference in passenger demand!

11. The Mobiliti service • MOBILITI operates a “door to door” transport service, 8.00am – 5.00pm Monday – Friday and Saturday mornings. We cover the whole of the Klang Valley. • MOBILITI has 5 vans on the road – all fitted with hydraulic lifts and wheelchair restraint systems that enables our passengers to travel without having to transfer from their wheelchairs. • Plus one van with seats for passengers with other types of disability • Passengers are charged RM 3.00 per journey (one way) irrespective of the distance involved • Passengers are required to book in advance. Unfortunately we still have to reject requests every day as our vans are running at maximum capacity.

12. Mobiliti’s Fleet

13. Accessibility needs • Accept that Universal Accessibility is the goal that we must strive for • The costs are less if we do things properly, and early on • Being accessible is being convenient for all users  hence, being profitable • BEAT-KL and other groups have the detailed information & LOCAL & international standards  We need the political and social will and to engage the community before, not after!

14. Affordability for all sides • Cost of bus and vehicle operations has increased over time • Tires, batteries, chassis, coachwork • Fares fixed by Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board • Delay in increases of fares • Subsidized diesel offered by Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs • Diesel supply is inadequate for many operators • Civil service time lag and bureaucracy

15. Affordability for all sides • Bus operators face competition and reduced profits as a result of government regulations • Down-spiral effect caused by poor planning • Lower profits • Reduced service quality • Reduced customer demand • Reduced profits • Reduced economic growth and higher infrastructure costs

16. Affordability for all sides • Do fares need to be so low when other options exist? • Fare rebates • Mobility allowances • Discounts for loyal users, special groups • Collective Benefits, Collective Responsibility • Use government funds to offset operational costs • Exemplary services often have government funding to offset operational costs

17. Enhancing Development and Reducing Infrastructure Costs • Urban growth may be “planned” but often leads to urban sprawl  More than 1000 suburban “housing estates” in the Klang Valley • Suburban and exurban communities are often “low-density” • Transport infrastructure is often inadequate • Providing infrastructure is costly for local councils/government • Mobility requires private transportation  money  “Automobile apartheid” • Infrastructure is inadequate  How long can it last?

18. Transit-oriented Development • Communities designed around public transport hubs • Pedestrian and people friendly • Economically sustainable if planned properly • Lowers taxes and infrastructure costs

19. Maximizing benefits, minimizing costs • Bring public transport to more people • Indiscriminate LRT expansion not needed • Go back to the RapidKL “hub-and-spoke” model used from 2006-2007 • This time, we make it work! • Authority builds vital infrastructure (hubs, lanes) • Authority directs local councils to identify bus routes • All bus operators under contract to Authority • Packaging of “Areas” will combine lucrative trunk routes with express and suburban routes

20. TRANSIT’s “Strategic Plan” • Our “Strategic Plan” - Start from the basics • Make the bus service work well • Enhance the bus services by introducing critical infrastructure (lanes, hubs) • Introduce “Quality Bus” or “Rapid Transit” services to improve speed, frequency, reliability • Local / Regional Public Transport Authorities • RapidKL & RapidPg supporting the Authorities • Bus operators under contract to Authorities • Public feedback becomes important

21. TRANSIT’s “Strategic Plan” • When we invest we must consider: • How many passengers per direction per hour? • Choose the appropriate technology to meet our needs  maximize benefits at the lowest cost! • Mass-Transit  only when demand is proven • For congested urban areas, monorail may be a more cost-effective solution than LRT • Rapid Transit on main roads (BRT, Trams) and expressways (ERT) is the best way to quickly introduce rapid transit to our communities • Uses the existing (and paid-for) road infrastructure • Construction costs are lower so more km of routes • Can be built faster and fine-tuned more easily

22. Moving 10,000 passengers/d/h

23. Conclusion • Many issues in public transportation • Operators are hurting because of excess competition, government regulation • Accessibility must be a vital part of public transport planning and operations • Development must consider public transport • Public transport must follow a growth process • Maximize benefits and decrease costs • Find and apply realistic, “quick-win” solutions

24. Thank you for your time • Halimah Abdullah on behalf of MOBILITI • http://mobiliti.org.my • mobiliti@po.jaring.my • Moaz Yusuf Ahmad on behalf of TRANSIT • http://transitmy.org • Klangvalley.transit@gmail.com • klangvalley_transit-subscribe@yahoogroups.com