Malaysia PM seeks integrated and seamless public transport, starting with buses

New Straits Times: "Fortunately, on social media, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak wrote: “Connectivity, and more specifically, public transport are very dear and close to my heart. I seek to ensure that the government provides seamless and integrated service to the people.” On that promise, those working in Kuala Lumpur or doing business there are asking City Hall to postpone the high parking fees until such time that an efficient public transport system is in place. City Hall does not need to lay rails for a high-speed link access, or even a tram line. All it has to do is designate bus lanes in the city. Vehicles trespassing on these lanes, except taxis, will be harshly dealt with. Surely, when public transport runs smoothly, it will be the transport mode of choice. What of those drivers stuck in a traffic jam because there is one lane less for them, you may ask. Serves them right for driving into the city, when public transport takes one from A to B effortlessly."

"The private vehicle is an expensive ticket"

Take public transport, top-ranking govt officers told | Free Malaysia Today: "the “higher-ups” use public transport as a means to travel to work as well to show the public that public transport was not necessarily meant for the poor.
He also urged other city councils to follow DBKL’s example and increase their parking rates as well.
Ajit said it was good that DBKL had started the initiative and there should be an increment every year.
“People need to understand that a private vehicle is basically an expensive ticket.”"

Motorbikes choking Hanoi

CityLab: "To compensate for the proposed ban on motorbikes, the government plans to augment Hanoi’s public transportation. It seeks to double the number of buses (currently at around 1,000) and construct two metro lines in the next five years, with four more by 2030."

Kuala Lumpur CBD to limit parking to two hours

Free Malaysia Today: "KUALA LUMPUR: The public should not hesitate but try commuting via public transport to enter the Kuala Lumpur Central Business District (CBD), says Federal Territories Deputy Minister Loga Bala Mohan.
He was responding to public views which disagreed with the government move to limit the parking (metered on road parking only) duration to only two hours in CBD areas like Bukit Bintang, KLCC, Ampang and other areas in the city centre.
He said the move was aimed at stimulating the public to often use public transport to commute rather than their own vehicles."

Klang Valley Malasia, 16 new light rail stops open

The Star Online: "PETALING JAYA: Land public transport in the Klang Valley received a huge boost with the opening of 16 new light rail transit (LRT) stations to form a seamless loop between the Kelana Jaya and Sri Petaling lines. ...For the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD), the opening of the LEP is a major milestone in turning Greater Kuala Lumpur/Klang Valley into a world class city. “By expanding connectivity, we hope to reduce the number of cars on the road, helping to reduce congestion, facilitate a more positive daily commuting experiences, and in the longer run, reduce our CO2 emissions,” said SPAD CEO Mohd Azharuddin Mat Sah."

Guess what?: Tanta Ginting wants better public transportation

The Jakarta Post: "JAKARTA: Actor Tanta Ginting says he doubts the Jakarta administration’s policy to impose an odd-even number plate regulation on cars and motorcycles would significantly reduce traffic jams.

“If you want to reduce traffic jams significantly, then improving public transportation facilities is the only way,” Tanta said as quoted by tribunnews.com recently. "