Malaysia - Free Public Transport a solution to high road-death rate

Malaysiakini: "Malaysia is only four years away from reaching 2020, and if the high road deaths continues, it could possibly ruin our chances of achieving the developed country status. Currently, the 23 out 100,000 people are killed on the roads in Malaysia, compared to developed countries such as Sweden with only three out of 100,000 people; and five or less the UK, the Netherlands, in Australia or Japan.

And all these countries have one thing in common - their cities have cheap, safe, and reliable public transportation."

November 20, 2015 - Lin Wanfeng: to implement on all routes armor temporarily introduction of free bus - Local News - Malacca - Nanyang Network

Local News - Malacca - Nanyang Network: ""If implemented, in order to comply with the fair, it will be fully free, rather than specific routes for free.""



[via google translate]

2015年11月20日 - 林万锋：要落实就全部路线 甲暂不推行免费巴士 - 地方新闻 - 马六甲 - 南洋网

2015年11月20日 - 林万锋：: "郑国球在州议会发表休会演词时说，免费公巴服务将带来诸多好处，包括吸引公众使用公共交通，减少繁忙时段及假期的交通堵塞，改善市区停车位不足的情况。
他说，此举也有助于减少车祸，尤其是涉及摩托车的车祸。
他指出，槟州及雪州明年度预算案都出现赤字，但已开始在特定时间及地点提供免费公巴服务。"

Bangkok creating more bureaucracy to undercut #freetransit program

The Nation: ""The government isn't thinking of cancelling free bus/train services, but PM Prayut wants it to truly aid low-income persons and for the budget management to be financially efficient," he said. "

West, Gulf complicity in oil-fuelled genocide of Myanmar’s Rohingya

@nafeezahmed middleeasteye: "The State Department report focuses on the need for Myanmar to continue neoliberal “economic reforms” to open up the country to foreign investors.

Rather than acknowledging the junta’s culpability, the document makes passing reference to “political violence,” characterised ‘neutrally’ as “anti-government insurgent activity in various locations,” and “inter-communal violence… between Buddhists and Muslims”.

A report by the UK government’s department for Trade and Investment (UKTI) was similarly breathless: “Burma is estimated to possess 3.2 billion barrels of oil and 18 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of natural gas reserves… Its unproven resources may be vastly greater.”

These resources make Burma “among the world’s top fifth nations in terms of its proven reserves”."

Vietnam students abroad don't come home because..... traffic!

tuoitrenews : "“There are some reasons why overseas students do not return to Vietnam, including an unqualified educational environment, which can impact on the future of their children, an unstable lifestyle with a high level of air pollution, traffic jams, and road accidents,” said Vo Duy Khang, now a chief technology officer at Zappasoft, an Australian software company."

Saigon Registers 900 New Vehicles Everyday

Saigoneer: "Though registration prices are now climbing instead of the cost of the vehicles themselves – in September, fees hit VND11 million, five times more expensive than before – the continued onslaught of cars suggests this registration hike may not be enough to stem Saigon's deluge of four-wheeled vehicles. Taking into account the 7.2 million locally registered vehicles in Saigon, another million vehicles entering the city from other provinces and drivers like these on the road, it might just be better to stay off the streets altogether."

Free bus service in PJ area getting thumbs up

MBPJ: "Since it started in May 14 last year, the free bus service provided by the Petaling Jaya Municipal Council (MBPJ) is receiving positive response, The Malay Mail reports. In addition, a survey notes that the service has even converted motorists into commuters."

Fare-free bus service attracts 9,000 riders a day, 19% from cars, motorcycles.

Malay Mail Online: "KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 — A free bus service offered by the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) has converted a good number of motorists in the area into public transport users, according to a recent survey."

[Singapore] Govt should run public transport system

Channel NewsAsia: "“If you tell a private corporation that I’m going to judge you on the basis of your quarterly results and your bonus is based on your quarterly results, why would you want to spend money on long-term maintenance? That only adds costs and doesn’t shore up my quarterly results,” he said.

“I hope as we write our economic history, we can honestly admit that we made mistakes … The question is: Have we learnt from our mistakes and are we prepared to move ahead?”"

Government investment is putting money in, so public gets a benefit. Private investment is putting money in to get more money out, regardless of public benefit.

IEA to Southeast Asia: Please buy more oil, choke your cities with cars, and ruin your environment with sprawl

iea : "“As Southeast Asia flourishes, it is moving to the centre of the global energy stage,” IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said. “Countries in the region now have much in common with IEA members. We must all work together to build more secure and sustainable energy supplies and markets, as platforms for promoting economic development.”"

Free bus and train rides extended for 3 months

Bangkok Post : "Free rides on selected public buses and trains will be extended for another three months, until the end of January, Deputy Transport Minister Ormsin Chivapruck said on Tuesday."

Cyclists swarm Bangkok for 'Car Free Day'

Bangkok Post: news: "Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra launched "Bangkok Car Free Day 2015" at Sanam Luang on Sunday morning, part of a campaign to reduce the use of cars and encourage patronage of public transport and bicycles."

Jakarta told to speed up development of public transportation

Jakarta Post: "President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has called for faster construction of mass transportation in Jakarta to immediately ease the daily traffic gridlock.

“Don’t cause any delays. We have to immediately address the acute traffic congestion in the capital city,” said President Jokowi at a ceremony for the turning of the sod on the Light Rail Transit (LRT) project in Jakarta on Wednesday."

Jakarta to develop three integrated public transportation terminals

The Post: "Currently, Jakartans rely heavily on private vehicles – motorcycles and cars – due to a lack of decent public transportation.

The development of integrated terminals is part of the city's effort to solve the public transportation problem. (bbn)"

Singapore Bank knows people love #freetransit, uses it as bait

Free bus, MRT, LRT rides for 100,000 POSB cardholders every Friday - Channel NewsAsia: "SINGAPORE: A total of 100,000 POSB cardholders will get unlimited free MRT, LRT, and bus rides on Fridays until the end of the year.

To tap on these free rides, cardholders will have to link their POSB Everyday Credit Cards or their PAssion POSB Debit Cards with EZ-Reload, which allows these cards to be topped up automatically ."

Reform Malaysia’s transport mess

Free Malaysia Today: " it’s time for Malaysia to get serious about developing a more integrated urban transport system in our major cities. "

Selangor govt to begin free bus services this July

paultan: "The Selangor government is set to begin its free bus service in Shah Alam, Subang Jaya and Klang this coming July. The public service is expected to help alleviate ever-worsening traffic conditions and provide transport alternatives to around 24,000 residents in three of the aforementioned townships"



'via Blog this'

New free bus service in Malaysia

Fare-Free New Zealand: "Shah Alam, Subang Jaya and Klang city residents’ dream of enjoying free public transportation will come true in July when the Selangor (State) government starts its free bus services in the three townships.

The bus service will enable about 24,000 people to travel around those three areas for free and with ease."

Collecting fares to pay for systems to collect fares

Vix eyes Malaysian public transport deal | Business News | Business and Finance News | | The Courier-Mail: "Melbourne-based company Vix Technology is in the final stages of contract negotiations with the Malaysian government’s public transport regulator on a deal worth $27 million over five years.

The contract would involve Vix Technology creating a platform to unify payments for the country’s multiple transit operators under a single transport ticketing system."

Kuching, Malaysia should ‘Focus on improving public transport’

The Star Online: "KUCHING: If Kuching is to be made more competitive as envisioned in the 11th Malaysia Plan, the authorities should emphasise public transport more, said residents.

“We can’t be a competitive city with poor public transport. That would be ironic and counterproductive,” said Sonia Luhong.

The graphic designer added that reliable public transport would reduce pollution and dependence on personal vehicles and increase mobility for city folk and tourists.

“I’m looking forward to Malaysia setting a positive example and maybe even a new benchmark for public transportation in the region,” said Luhong, 25, in response to Kuching's inclusion in the 11MP’s strategy of investing in competitive cities."

"Expressways move vehicles and not people" -- Selangor Chief Minister

The Star Online : "BANTING: The Selangor state government cancelled the Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex) project because it offered no improvement to the public transportation system, said Azmin Ali.

The state Menteri Besar said building expressways did not decrease the use of private vehicles.

"Expressways move vehicles and not people. I want a public transportation system that can move the people around.

"Traffic congestion problems will still be there regardless of how many highways are built," he said after launching the SegiFresh2u online retail service here Sunday."

Vietnam cities increasingly choked by traffic and pollution

Guardian: "Although two-thirds of Vietnam’s population live in rural areas, its two major cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, are increasingly choked by traffic and pollution. By some estimates, Hanoi is the most polluted city in south-east Asia, with concentrations of carcinogenic particles often measuring twice the recognised safe levels. The pollution is made worse by a huge annual increase in numbers of cars and motorcycles, while public transport remains inadequate."

We want to move the people, not the machine(s)

Malay Mail Online: "“We want to move the people, not the machine(s),” Azmin told reporters here.

“Is highway the only option? Of course we are looking at developed nations that are also looking at other public transportation options such as LRT (Light Rail Transit), BRT (Bus Rapid Transit), trams and this need(s) to be given focus,” he added."

Buses jammed, highways jammed. Population is blamed. Solution: #freetransit

Al Jazeera English: "Transport facilities have long lost their battle with exploding demand.
Even the most polite people turn into animal-like creatures when a bus or train arrives. Something that might have looked like a queue disappears instantly and the best and most aggressive pushers are getting on board. Unless every inch inside the vehicle is taken already.

I have learned this the hard way. Trying to be polite will cost you many hours of waiting on a weekly basis. The only real queues are the long lines of cars queuing patiently day-in, day-out on nearly every stretch of road in every major city. Yes, it is that bad."

Buy buses, not planes says MP

Free Malaysia Today: "JOHOR BAHRU: The federal government has been urged to pay for buses instead of paying for road construction.
If the government is so rich as to be able to purchase a new executive jet, there was no reason why buses cannot be subsidised by the government, said Liew Chin Tong, MP for Kluang.
He said new ideas were needed for public transport, as a social good. “The more people using public transport means fewer people driving on the road,” he said. “We need a paradigm shift from the government paying for road construction to the government paying for buses.”"

Oil extraction in Southeast Asia

@westernwitness

Public Transport Outsourcing and Risks

Sustainable Cities Collective: "Every world class city needs a functioning and accessible transportation network, however, Phnom Penhers mainly travel by tuktuk, car (Toyota Camry) or SUV (Lexus).

These large vehicles travel at a very slow pace among all the motorbikes and bicycles weaving between traffic in either direction.

Phnom Penh is flat, and everyone owns a bicycle or rides a cyclo, yet there are no bicycle lanes and very few sidewalks. The city has developed plans to ease the congestion, but little progress has been seen besides a few flyovers and “friendship” bridges.

While the bridges undoubtedly help connect the land between three rivers, the placement and design is quite inefficient -the two main bridges were built directly adjacent to one another."



'via Blog this'

Baspel Proposes Free Public Bus Rides For School Children

malaysiandigest : "KUALA LUMPUR -- The 1Malaysia Tour Bus Drivers Association (Baspel) has proposed that public bus operators provide free bus rides for school children to help ease the people's burden, especially parents.

Baspel president Noraizam Abdul Kadir said the proposal aimed to help parents so that they no longer had to spend much on bus fares.

"Baspel proposes that public bus operators provide free bus rides for students in school uniforms on school days to ease parent's burden," he said on the 'Ruang Bicara' talk show televised live over BernamaTV last night."