More using buses, LRT

Najib: Important to have solid infrastructure to match nation’s growth

PETALING JAYA: More Malaysians are using public transport, thanks largely to the success of the initiatives introduced in the National Key Result Area (NKRA), says Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The Prime Minister said the results of the initiative were “promising” after the Urban Public Transport NKRA was introduced in 2009 to encourage a higher ridership in public commuting.

“As of end of last year, the number of people who rode on buses increased to four million and increased over 10 million on the Kelana Jaya LRT Line.

“The load factor for buses, KTMS (trains) and LRTS are now more balanced, with more people taking the bus, KTMS and LRTS.

“The road fatality count dropped between 2010 and 2011, and customer satisfaction with public transport went up to 53%,” he said in his blog at www.1malaysia.com.my yesterday.

Najib said it is important to have “solid” and “reliable” infrastructures to match Malaysia’s fast-growing economy.

“That’s why we have included the ‘Urban Public Transport’ as one of the NKRAS seeking to improve infrastructure in urban areas,” he added.

Najib listed many measures introduced to reduce congestion and increase public transport usage, including the introduction of the Bus Expressway Transit (BET) routes to shorten bus journey times and new coaches for the Kelana Jaya LRT line and the KTM Komuter service.

“I hope to have the opportunity to carry out all of our plans so that in the near future, I will see less and less tweets and Facebook comments about transport!” Najib said.