Let’s go for a free ride!

New Straits Times: "FREE public transport. Free public transit. Zero fare. Whatever name you like to call it, the concept of a free shuttle is not new.
Many cities around the world have converted their bus networks to zero fare. These may be set up to ease bottlenecks or fill  gaps in the transport network."

Newly-launched free bus service in PJ will cut costs and reduce pollution

The Star Online: "Petaling Jaya mayor Datin Paduka Alinah Ahmad said the free bus service was one of the components that would help to close the income inequality gap, at the same time increase movement of people and enable social interaction."

Better Efficiency Boosts Public Transport Ridership

BERNAMA : "KUALA LUMPUR, May 12 (Bernama) -- The continuous efforts to upgrade urban public transport (UTP) under the National Key Results Area (NKRA) since 2010 have resulted in a significant increase of people using public transport, according to the Government Transformation Programme (GTP) 2013 Report issued by the Prime Minister's Office today.

Go-KL free buses a big success -- helping the economy

Najib: Malaysia set to meet 2020 targets | theSundaily: "On urban public transport, he said, there was now better connectivity within the city and between nearby municipalities so that people can choose public transport over other modes.

"One of the GTP 2.0 initiatives is the free Go-KL city bus service introduced in 2012 which helps 18,000 rakyat daily get around the central business district thus decongesting city roads during peak hours," he said.

The new six-car sets for the KTM Komuter service have also helped to improve the waiting time from 30-45 minutes to 15 minutes. Other improvements include better integration of transport modes, where commuters can use more than one mode of public transport, with minimal hassle."

Klang Valley folk now opting for public transportation to beat jams

The Star Online: "According to the Government Transformation Programme report, the morning peak ridership, between 6am and 10am, reached 437,525 by the end of last year. This exceeded the 400,000 target set under the National Key Result Area.

Acting transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the numbers speak for themselves as the Government remained focused on transforming the urban public transport system into an attractive alternative."

Vietnam Tries to Stop China Oil Rig Deployment

TIME.com: "(HANOI, Vietnam) — Vietnamese naval vessels and Chinese ships collided Wednesday in the South China Sea as Hanoi sought to prevent Beijing from setting up an oil rig in an area claimed by both nations, a Vietnamese government official said."

Taib calls for better public transport

BorneoPost Online : "KUCHING: An efficient public transportation will not just ease gridlocks and lessen travel time for commuters but will help tourists go around the state see more places.

Yang di-Pertua Negeri Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, who pointed this out yesterday, said the government must improve the quality of public transportation in rapidly-developing main towns to facilitate easy mobility of the community.

“Public transportation that is efficient will reduce traffic jam and travel time for people. At the same time, the tourism industry will be able to increase their revenue from an efficient public transport service,” he said at the opening of the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here."

Road traffic choking Phuket

phuketgazette : "One thing I’d like to see shaped up is the traffic problem – we have too many vehicles for the current number of roads.

The lack of public transport options in Phuket has forced every household to have some form of private transport, be it a car or a motorbike. Some households have several vehicles, and this is causing our huge traffic problems. The way to reduce traffic congestion is to provide public transport.

We need a bus network and taxi fares that are affordable. If we can provide cost-effective transport, then people will use it."