BRT: PROPER PLANNING CRUCIAL
“GO for an averagesized corridor route and run your trial there before going big on investing in the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system,” advised panellists during the BRT Conference here.
The collective statement was made after panellists were questioned what would happen should the BRT system fail in Malaysia during the “The Future of BRT systems in Malaysia” discussion.
“Planning is necessary. If it doesn’t work for you, then you have a big issue on your hands.”
They said wastages, such as loss in investment and an abandoned infrastructure, should be avoided, while strong and disciplined governance of the system was necessary for it to succeed.
“From experience, one of the biggest issues when countries want to adopt the system is that they talk about everything in their plan except rider occupancy. It needs to attract customers and people should want to use the system for it to work.”
The BRT Conference was hosted by Volvo Buses, together with Technology Depository Agency and Prasarana Malaysia Bhd.
Panellists included Rapid Bus chief executive officer Muhammad Yazurin Sallij Muhammad Yasin, China’s Far East BRT Planning Co Limited chief technical officer Xiaomei Duan, Land Public and Transport Agency deputy director-general Ahmad Radhi, Volvo Bus Corporation Urban Mobility director Jan Vandooren, and Indonesia’s PT Transportasi Jakarta Engineering and Facility director Yoga Adiwinarto.
The discussion was moderated by Volvo Buses South Asia Public Affairs and Media Relations manager Sridhar Chari.
Currently, Bandar Sunway in Klang Valley is the only local township to adopt the BRT system and put it to trial. Operated and managed by Prasarana, the trial involves 15 buses.
According to Transport Minister Anthony Loke, ridership of Sunway BRT increased by 30 per cent recently, but only after its fare was reduced by 20 per cent from last year following public complaints.
He said there were discussions to expand the use of BRT systems in the Klang Valley, and how Kuching and Johor Baru would get their own BRT systems soon.
Loke said his ministry was preparing a full transportation report on savings and usage for this year, set to be ready sometime by year end.