Transcript Realistic perspectives on the state of public transport

Realistic perspectives
on the state of public
transport
ABF Public Transport Forum
October 28-29, 2008
Presentation Structure
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Introductions – who we are
Resolving Public Transport Issues in Malaysia
User Perspectives on Public Transport
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From a public transport operator
From a public transport thinker
Summary of Issues
Realistic improvements to Public Transport
Making it happen
Conclusion
Who we are
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Halimah Abdullah
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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
Who we are
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Moaz Yusuf Ahmad
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Public transport user
Public transport thinker
Advisor to the Association for the Improvement of
Mass Transit (TRANSIT) – Klang Valley
Officer of the Pahlawan Volunteers
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
Resolving Public Transport Issues
in Malaysia
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Public transport provides 3 functions for
society
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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
Realistic Improvements
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We need to explore all functions of public
transport when we plan, regulate, and
operate these services
Also consider the following:
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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?
Accessibility Issues
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Concept of Universal Accessibility is not “built-in” to
urban planning and architecture or public transport
planning
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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”
Universal Accessibility/Design
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NOT just “facilities for the disabled”
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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
Accessibility Issues
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Concept of Universal Accessibility is not “builtin” to urban planning and architecture or public
transport planning
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Taxi services
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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!
The Mobiliti service
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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.
Mobiliti’s Fleet
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!
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Affordability for all sides
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Cost of bus and vehicle operations has
increased over time
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Fares fixed by Commercial Vehicles
Licensing Board
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Tires, batteries, chassis, coachwork
Delay in increases of fares
Subsidized diesel offered by Ministry of
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs
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Diesel supply is inadequate for many operators
Civil service time lag and bureaucracy
Affordability for all sides
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Bus operators face
competition and reduced
profits as a result of
government regulations
Down-spiral effect caused
by poor planning
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Lower
profits
Lower
Demand
Lower profits
Reduced service quality
Reduced customer demand
Reduced profits
Reduced economic
growth and higher
infrastructure costs
Reduced
service
quality
Affordability for all sides
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Do fares need to be so low when other
options exist?
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Fare rebates
Mobility allowances
Discounts for loyal users, special groups
Collective Benefits, Collective Responsibility
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Use government funds to offset operational costs
Exemplary services often have government
funding to offset operational costs
Enhancing Development and
Reducing Infrastructure Costs
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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 “lowdensity”
Transport infrastructure is often inadequate
 Providing infrastructure is costly for local
councils/government
 Mobility requires private transportation  money
 “Automobile apartheid”
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Infrastructure is inadequate  How long can it last?
Transit-oriented Development
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Communities designed
around public transport
hubs
Pedestrian and people
friendly
Economically
sustainable if planned
properly
Lowers taxes and
infrastructure costs
Maximizing benefits,
minimizing costs
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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!
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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
TRANSIT’s “Strategic Plan”
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Our “Strategic Plan” - Start from the basics
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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
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RapidKL & RapidPg supporting the Authorities
Bus operators under contract to Authorities
Public feedback becomes important
TRANSIT’s “Strategic Plan”
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When we invest we must consider:
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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 costeffective 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
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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
Moving 10,000 passengers/d/h
Conclusion
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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
Thank you for your time
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Halimah Abdullah on behalf of MOBILITI
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http://mobiliti.org.my
[email protected]
Moaz Yusuf Ahmad on behalf of TRANSIT
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http://transitmy.org
[email protected]
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[email protected]
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