RapidKL : Bus Network Revamp deserves support – YS Chan

Acong

Bus Network Revamp deserves support – YS Chan
Published: 13 December 2015 9:00 PM

Before the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) took over from January 2011, the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board was in discussion with stage bus operators to streamline bus corridors in the Klang Valley.

It was given added impetus by SPAD and the Bus Network Revamp (BNR) team was meticulous and professional, earning the respect of seasoned bus operators.

RapidKL, being a government-owned company, was given the rights to operate all eight corridors out of the Kuala Lumpur city centre.

It is the sole operator for the Ampang and Damansara corridors, sharing the Jalan Pahang Corridor with Len Seng, Cheras Corridor with Sri Indah, and Jalan Klang Lama Corridor with Metrobus.

For the three busier routes, RapidKL shares the Sungai Besi Corridor with Sri Indah, Metrobus and Nadi Putra; Jalan Ipoh Corridor with Selangor Omnibus, Setera Jaya and Wawasan Sutra; and Lebuhraya Persekutuan Corridor with Cityliner, Seranas, Causeway Link and Wawasan Sutra.

Although there were operational glitches since the BNR was implemented from December 1, there is no reason to change what has taken many years to plan because the BNR is basically sound.

What went wrong could be attributed to three main reasons.

Firstly, we have to acknowledge the fact that it is very difficult for the right information to be communicated to the masses, especially to commuters travelling by buses or taxis.

SPAD's Communications Division had provided exhaustive reports for the media to disseminate before and after the implementation of BNR.

Passengers that have benefitted from this exercise would naturally be silent but those affected may be screaming their heads off.

In the past, some routes were overserved while others were underserved or not served at all. Commuters in overserved routes were used to the high frequency with many buses running with only a handful of passengers.

As the regulatory body, SPAD had rightly spread the limited number of buses to cover the entire Klang Valley or Greater Kuala Lumpur.

At the recent Land Public Transport Symposium, I proposed that bus apps be introduced so that passengers would not only know the whereabouts of the next few buses heading their way, but also the passenger load.

This will give them the option to board the first one with standing room only or wait for the next one with empty seats.
It is a matter of time for technology to make travelling in stage buses as the preferred mode of transport, just as trains have made a comeback after years of being in the doldrums.

I would not be surprised in the not too distant future for stage bus companies to run luxury services and seats can be pre-booked.

For this to happen, we should not continue with the old mindset but take a quantum leap into the future.

For example, RapidKL should demonstrate leadership in leading the 10 private stage bus companies to overcome teething problems, instead of continuing to compete fiercely as if to wipe off private enterprises.

It should rent out its surplus buses at affordable rates or on a profit-sharing basis instead of unreasonably high rates to force private bus companies surrender the routes to them.

The best recourse is for RapidKL to make up for the shortfalls of buses by private companies on a temporary basis, and if the top management refused to budge, Prasarana would have to step in.

The shortage of stage buses was caused by repeated delays in implementing the BNR until private stage bus operators became numb to the postponements and were caught unprepared when it was finally implemented.

Anyone who had operated buses would know that six months lead time is necessary after getting the permit in order to apply for bank loan, select the chassis, construct the coach body, passed the vehicle inspection, hire the driver and set up the support services for a fleet of buses.

The problem was compounded when older stage buses were refurbished at a leisurely space as there was no firm commitment in setting the BNR implementation date due to continuous fine-tuning.

Those with our nation's interest at heart would support the BNR as it is too good to allow it to fail. – December 13, 2015.

* YS Chan reads The Malaysian Insider.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer, organisation or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.c ... thash.W6ZC5XBI.dpuf



apasal bas rapidKL boleh rugi?

nie pasal driver bas lahanat yg pecah amanah.....

penumpang dah bayar tetapi tak diberikan tiket........

BODOH......! guna sistem cashless laa.....!

BAHALOL