Steps to a better commute

AS A daily user of public transport, I would like to forward some suggestions to Prasarana Malaysia Bhd.

Firstly, please do something about the train announcements. It’s frustrating when there are no announcements on the next station or they are not audible.

I often see tourists, the visually impaired and new LRT users looking confused due to the absence of such announcements. Sometimes, other passengers have to tell them the name of the next station.

RapidKL also relies on customers to tell them if things like the air-conditioning is not working. I have also had to notify RapidKL sometimes to switch on the fans at certain station platforms.

Why should customers have to do this? Shouldn’t this be the job of station managers?

Prasarana should consider intro- ducing an express LRT service. Such a service from stations like Putra Heights to Pasar Seni or Subang Jaya can help reduce commuters’ travel time and also overcrowding on trains.

Also, why not extend the train and bus services till 1am? This would benefit night shift workers and tourists. Many big cities around the world have extended their service into the early morning while the New York City subway runs 24 hours a day.

I have also noticed that several walkways and facilities at Prasarana-owned LRT stations are in bad condition. I have emailed RapidKL about this but thus far, no action has been taken.

Recently, I noticed a trader blocking a walkway to an LRT station. I had to email RapidKL more than five times before they finally warned the person.

Also, please do something about the KL Monorail. It’s been months since the four-car trains were taken out due to safety issues. What is the long-term solution? The monorail is the only public transport system that serves certain core areas in downtown Kuala Lumpur.

Prasarana should make full use of technology. The Sungai BulohKajang MRT line data is not available in Google Maps. Again, I had to email RapidKL multiple times to remind them to put the data in Google Maps as most tourists rely on it. Also, what happened to the journey planner app with live tracking features?

RapidKL should improve staff working conditions too. I once spoke to a bus driver who told me that he had worked five hours straight without a break. Some drivers even have to stop their buses to go and buy food while ferrying passengers!

Some trains have no door closing sound or blinking lights. There are also no announcements on trains to warn passengers not to lean against the doors. What’s the point of having auxiliary police personnel on platforms if they don’t tell passengers to stand clear of closing doors or ask them to move in?

Prasarana should also consider installing large ceiling fans at at the Pasar Seni, Asia Jaya and Masjid Jamek platforms to make the wait more comfortable. The current small wall fans don’t help much.

I hope Prasarana’s senior management will take public transport regularly so they know what passengers have to go through daily.