OngTeeKeat | Courage To Change, Creating New Values.

During the rush hour this morning, I took the KTM Komuter train from the Bank Negara station to the KL Sentral station before switching to LRT to the Bangsar station. I also took the opportunity to walk around the KL Sentral station. As the lead Minister for National Key Result Area (NKRA) for Urban Public Transport, the walkabout helped to give me a better feel of what the people encounter and experience on a daily basis when they use public transport in the city.

Prior to this walkabout, I have requested my officers to conduct a survey on the level of comfort for both LRT as well as KTM Komuter services, whether in terms of the stations or the trains. There are a few points that I have taken note of. The relevant parties such as KTMB and Syarikat Prasarana Negara Berhad that were present with me this morning are looking into them right now.

Like many other commuters, I experienced first hand, the congestion and discomfort when I took the KTM Komuter service during peak hours, which is from 6am to 9am. At present, the frequency of the KTM Komuter service as well as its punctuality remain a challenge. Waiting time now is about 20 minutes or even more. KTM had given me the assurance that they will shorten the waiting time to 15 minutes. In spite of this assurance, I still think that there is room for improvement. According to the projections given by KTM, the waiting period can be reduced to only 3.5 minutes by 2013 with the arrival of new train sets. We also need to have a strict maintenance culture, both for old and new train sets.

I also personally experienced and observed the high ridership for LRT services. There was barely enough standing room in the trains when I took the ride. We are sensitive to the rapidly rising demand for this service. Currently, waiting time is about 3 minutes and we hope it can be shortened to just 2 minutes during peak hours.

I am heartened to hear the recent announcement by the Prime Minister and Finance Minister 1, YAB Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Razak that by the end of this year, we expect to operate six new 4-car train sets. The trains are currently undergoing testing. This will be a boon for public transportation in the Klang Valley.

Based on statistics obtained from the Key Performance Indicator (KPI) laboratory, 240,000 people a day use public transport like buses, taxis and trains in 2008. The figure is projected to increase to 600,000 persons per day by 2012.

From this figure, we project that 26% are expected to use KTM Komuter services and another 26% using LRT, 5% on monorail and ERL services. This means that by 2012, we hope to achieve public transport modal share of 25% as compared to the current 12%.

In implementing our plans, we must always put the people’s interest and views first. This includes ensuring that public transport facilities and services are friendly to the disabled. While the newer stations may boast of such amenities, we must continue to upgrade and ensure that older stations should incorporate disabled-friendly features and facilities. This should not be confined to just train stations but bus and taxi stands as well. It should be a joint effort involving both regulators and operators of public transport.

Secondly, the people should feel secure and safe when they use public transport. There is definitely room for improvement as far as security is concerned.

Thirdly, we must constantly strive to improve the level of comfort for commuters. They include increasing the number of coaches, improve ventilation, increase number of seats at platforms and ensure user-friendliness of the facilities. These are basic expectations from the people. Newer stations such as the one in Bangsar may boast better amenities but we should not forget older stations.

Lastly, signages must be clear and visible. There is certainly room for improvement here.

The walkabout does not end here. I intend to do more follow-up visits to ensure that what is planned is properly executed.

Throw the bad & get the best
written by ah lek, November 06, 2009

"According to the projections given by KTM, the waiting period can be reduced to only 3.5 minutes by 2013 with the arrival of new train sets". Nobody know what will happen in 2013 & normally people will come out with some excuses why this still cannot be achieved yet. Why keep investing or "wasting" our money into an old technology? Don't just look into comfort, frequency etc. Time taken to reach destination is very important also, especially doing rush hour to work or appointment. The KTM is so slow, need to stop for "resting" halfway & most of time don't have clear announcement on the station. The service & the technology is so outdated, what more to expect? I am wondering what those previous ministers were doing until now we still not improving. Don't like someone going site survey in Disneyland, go Sg or HK enough.

Improvement should Overall
written by Tan Tze Wah, November 08, 2009

Dato seri, I am agree that our current LRT service quick OK....I guess Dato Seri is fetch by your driver to LRT station... I guess you may not notice noe aspect!the sources of passenger.mainly 4 sources 1.walking passenger, 2.fetch by someone, 3.Drive to station. 4.feeder bus. Dato Seri, Parking was the major issue, this also contribute to surround traffic congestion as driver looking for car park surround. The drop by passenger number affect as well.The increase number train improve riding comfort, while increasing number of car park improve desire to use those station. Dato Seri, next time if someone tell you more cabin more passenger, check has they buy more feeder bus or allocate budget to build multi deck parking.
KTM......Commuter....even challenge!at 1st, their fare should lower than bus.Time vs fare......................
you're great, anyhow, you are with us, still with people!

KTM SERVICES
written by Ken GK 5S, November 09, 2009

Dear Transport Minister,
I have been to Japan for more than 10 times. I used to take their train services to work. The important features of good management are as follows :-

1. Train schedule is utmost important. Always be punctual.
2. Air-con is working well
3. Entry & exit are smooth at ticketing
4. Ticketing machines plus 'touch & go' are working well & enough units.

Those are the 4 main criteria to improve.

In Japan, the crowd is horendous. They are like ants and they walk like sea waves (you cannot stop once you are inside the station). You just have to move. When the train arrives, it is sardine-packed. The station master/ushers have to push everyone in. Cannot blame as it is peak rush hour! So, Malaysians should not be complaining over this as Japan is the same. The only problem is the KTM staff are not pushing like the Japanese Railway. You could see empty slots in the middle.

The other important thing to improve is ABSENTEEISM in KTM. Many a times. no one is manning the entry & exit. Many people ride for free. You need more Chinese staff in KTM to check on absenteeism as most of the staff are their own people. No 1Malaysia if you see the colour of the staff. Looks like no accountability at all too. Take a ride yourself at different times plus night and you will see the problem. Some stations virtually have no staff or sleeping or what? Who is actually managing KTM? You have to weed-out all the lazy employees and put new people in the management team. If you need me to help you to do an audit, do let me know.

KTM ABSENTEEISM
written by Ken GK 5S, November 09, 2009

Just forget to mention that The Star-LRT & Putra-LRT have been giving overall good service in all my rides except some air-con functioning problems in Star-LRT.

Coming back to my earlier mention on the above captioned subject, I would propose the followings :-

1. Put up an ON-DUTY/OFF-DUTY chart visible to the public.
2. All Staff must have an additional attendance card with name & photo to be slotted into the chart when they come for duty.
3. Have a list of manpower on display next to the chart.
4. An organisation chart would be an added feature too unless there is frequent manpower movement.
5. These cards should be used to clock-in & out for attendance & payroll monitoring.

The above chart will enable the public to know the staff crewing. This also facilitates the Manager/Supervisor/Auditor on manpower's attendance. All these are good visual management.

What a joke
written by ykad, November 09, 2009

Dato Seri,

You are either missing it entirely or being totally misled by KTM. If you REALLY understand the issues facing KTM, the 8 new train sets allocated under Budget 2010 is certainly not enough. Achieve 3.5 min interval by 2013? KTM is trying to do wonder. To put this in perspective, when the full KTM Komuter fleet was running (around 65 sets), the optimal interval was 10 to 12 minutes. To achieve 3.5 minutes internal, you need around 130 to 150 train sets. Just do your own math. There is no rocket science here.

In addition, even if you manage to get the funding for the extra 100+ train sets in Budget 2011 (we know this is impossible), it will normally take more than 2 years for such huge order to be manufactured, delivered and tested. Just take a look at how long it takes for LRT to put the 4-carriage train sets into service.

As the lead minister of NKRA, you have the fiduciary duty to the rakyat. You need to put in serious efforts to make things work. Once-in-a-while walkabouts and writing blog will never accomplish anything.