KLANG Valley’s MRT system, MRT1 and MRT2, holds the promise of a robust public transport network. However, the recent Auditor General’s Report show that current ridership figures fall short of expectations.

This underutilisation necessitates a closer look at the factors hindering MRT ridership and exploring solutions to create a more attractive and effective public transport system.

What’s keeping MRT ridership low?

One key challenge is the mismatch between land use and station development. Ideally, MRT stations should be bustling centres with high-density, comfortable housing options, businesses, and job opportunities all within walking distance.

Unfortunately, the reality is often quite different. Many stations are surrounded by highways, vast parking lots, industrial areas, and sprawling single-family homes. This creates isolated destinations instead of vibrant, interconnected hubs.

For example, MRT Phileo Damansara is parallel to a wide highway and toll plaza, and is flanked by a huge golf course and low density bungalows. MRT Sri Damansara Barat is also located along a highway, and is surrounded by industrial land and low density developments.

This mismatch reduces the number of potential users of the MRT, leaving many of these stations and trains underutilised.

Compounded by this is the deeply ingrained car culture within Klang Valley. Extensive road networks and a preference for car ownership create an environment where public transport becomes a less attractive option.

This is further exacerbated by a weak feeder bus system that struggles to provide seamless last-mile connectivity to and from stations.

Urban sprawl, characterised by low-density development patterns, further reduces the efficiency of trains and buses by increasing travel distances between stations and destinations.

Imagine an MRT feeder bus traveling through a street with only 10 bungalows, compared to a street with 10 apartment buildings. The bus in the sprawl situation will clearly pick up fewer passengers.

High-end development near stations also creates an affordability crisis. Commuters priced out of these luxury apartments get pushed farther from the convenient public transport they rely on.

This turns public transit from a benefit for everyone into an amenity reserved for the wealthy, leaving those who need it most struggling with car or motorcycle dependency and longer commutes.

How can we boost MRT ridership?

Cities are not static and there are several solutions that can be implemented to address these challenges.

Transit-oriented development (TOD) holds great promise. It envisions lively hubs around MRT stations by building a mix of housing options (densities, incomes) with limited or no parking. Residents in these developments would naturally rely on public transport, boosting MRT ridership.

However, a concern exists. If previous administrations prioritized land sales for luxury condos near MRT stations, enriching themselves and developers, this Madani government must break this cycle.

For Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to truly serve the rakyat and not the maha kaya, his administration should ensure high-quality, affordable housing near public transport becomes a reality.

Prioritising pedestrian infrastructure and creating walkable neighbourhoods surrounding stations can significantly enhance accessibility and reduce reliance on cars, encouraging more public transport usage.

An effective train network thrives alongside a robust bus system. To achieve this, the Klang Valley needs a strategic plan to expand its bus network, ideally reaching 7,000 buses.

This expansion could involve partnerships with private companies, ensuring a significant increase in bus frequency and wider coverage.

This focus on first-and-last mile connectivity will seamlessly connect residents to train stations, maximising the overall public transport system’s efficiency.

Discouraging car use in dense central areas of different parts of the Klang Valley through congestion pricing schemes can also nudge commuters towards public transport.

We can also address the issue by making parking management stricter. This could involve raising parking fees and introducing resident parking permits. Local authorities like DBKL and traffic police need to step up enforcement efforts against illegal parking as well.

In Malaysia, the lack of consequences for illegal parking contributes to the perception that we can drive and park anywhere without consequences.

By making car ownership less convenient through stricter enforcement, we can encourage people to use public transportation instead.

Finally, the introduction of low-emission zones can restrict car usage in specific areas, promoting cleaner air and creating a more conducive environment for public transport use.

By addressing these issues and implementing these solutions, Klang Valley’s MRT network has the potential to evolve into a more accessible, efficient, and sustainable public transport system that caters to the needs of the community and fosters a vibrant, connected Klang Valley. - July 8, 2024

Boo Jia Cher is a Focus Malaysia reader.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. 

https://focusmalaysia.my/understanding-the-low-ridership-of-klang-valleys-mrt-and-how-to-fix-it/