Coconuts Bangkok: "The cabinet yesterday approved a THB2.2 billion project to extend free bus and train services for another six months.
Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said the free public transport service will be extended to the end of April of 2017, Daily News reported.
There are currently 800 free buses and 152 free trains in service. The free ride scheme was initiated in 2008 during Samak Sundaravej’s term as prime minister and has been continued ever since to help lower travel expenses for low-income people."
Thursday, November 10, 2016
Monday, October 24, 2016
Car ownership a sign of failure, not success
Malay Mail Online: "An overly high vehicle ownership is by no means an indication of prosperity but a consequence of failed planning. The ultimate result of low public transport take-up and an excessive abundance of private cars is the nightmarish traffic snarls along our roads and highways, resulting in unnecessary time, resource and economic losses.
The most pressing task for the government is to decisively improve our existing public transportation. To the commuters, a prerequisite for all public transit systems is fast and convenient services.
Simply put, no one would want to waste lots of time changing trains or buses to reach their final destinations. In other words, the government must expand not only the network coverage but also improve connectivity among the different modes and systems.
Secondly, public transport fares must be affordable. If we have to spend as much money taking public transit as to pay for car mortgages, many will then opt for the latter given the added convenience."
The most pressing task for the government is to decisively improve our existing public transportation. To the commuters, a prerequisite for all public transit systems is fast and convenient services.
Simply put, no one would want to waste lots of time changing trains or buses to reach their final destinations. In other words, the government must expand not only the network coverage but also improve connectivity among the different modes and systems.
Secondly, public transport fares must be affordable. If we have to spend as much money taking public transit as to pay for car mortgages, many will then opt for the latter given the added convenience."
Thursday, October 20, 2016
Jakartans lack access to decent public transportation
The Jakarta Post: "The report surveyed megacities and satellite cities and showed that Paris received a perfect score (100 percent), followed by Barcelona (99 percent) and Madrid (92 percent). Cities at the bottom included Washington D.C. (57 percent), Beijing (60 percent) and Jakarta (44 percent). But when the survey included the metropolitan area Paris score dropped to 50 percent, Barcelona to 76 percent and greater Jakarta 16 percent.
“The PNT metric illustrates how unplanned urban and suburban growth focuses on automobiles and only those who can afford to drive,” said Clayton Lane, the chief executive officer of ITDP."
“The PNT metric illustrates how unplanned urban and suburban growth focuses on automobiles and only those who can afford to drive,” said Clayton Lane, the chief executive officer of ITDP."
Saturday, October 15, 2016
DAP MPs: Tax exemption for carbuyers against pro-public transport policy
Malay Mail Online: "“This kind of one-off measure is not only irresponsible but also sends a wrong signal for a government that is trying to increase the usage of public transportation,” he told Malay Mail Online when contacted."
Sunday, September 25, 2016
Transport expert: Bus lanes better than LRTs for Penang
Free Malaysia Today: "GEORGE TOWN: A dedicated bus lane straddling existing roads is the best bet to alleviate traffic in Penang than the elevated Light Rail Transit (LRT), a transport academic from Australia shared yesterday.
University of Queensland urban planning lecturer Dr Dorina Pojani said the system, commonly known as Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), was the cheapest and the most effective way to allay traffic woes.
She said BRTs would cost one-tenth that of LRTs and has seen great take-up and effectiveness in South American countries such as Colombia.
Pojani said BRTs were a perfect fit for medium-sized townships like George Town and many other parts of Penang."
University of Queensland urban planning lecturer Dr Dorina Pojani said the system, commonly known as Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), was the cheapest and the most effective way to allay traffic woes.
She said BRTs would cost one-tenth that of LRTs and has seen great take-up and effectiveness in South American countries such as Colombia.
Pojani said BRTs were a perfect fit for medium-sized townships like George Town and many other parts of Penang."
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Malaysia - high fares not good for public transport
Towards better public transport | New Straits Times | Malaysia General Business Sports and Lifestyle News: " A word of caution is necessary. Success of the network to enhance the economy will depend on affordability. Threats of fare increase on a regular basis do little to endear the system to those who need it most. On economics alone to be the criteria, fares of a system costing billions are unfair on consumers whose contribution to economic growth and development is indisputable. After all, there can be no burdening of consumers who vote with their feet.
A just and fair fare structure must be formulated. A strong sense of social responsibility for what is essentially a public utility is unavoidable. The government cannot absolve itself of financial responsibility for the upkeep of the rail network especially. It is an economic infrastructure necessity and the fares must, therefore, reflect this fact. --"
A just and fair fare structure must be formulated. A strong sense of social responsibility for what is essentially a public utility is unavoidable. The government cannot absolve itself of financial responsibility for the upkeep of the rail network especially. It is an economic infrastructure necessity and the fares must, therefore, reflect this fact. --"
Monday, August 29, 2016
Group calls for urgent transport fare review
Free Malaysia Today: "PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Public Transport Users Association (4PAM) has renewed its call for the establishment of a Public Transport Tariff Review Committee (PTTRC) and urged Prime Minister Najib Razak to ensure that public transport fares are reviewed immediately.
Speaking to FMT,its president Ajit Johl said all stakeholders should be represented in the PTTRC and it should report directly to the Prime Minister or the Transport Ministry.
He was reacting to a reader’s letter to The Star which said that using public transport was less feasible than driving one’s own vehicle because fares on LRT and BRT were exorbitant.
Ajit said Malaysians were suffering because nothing like a PTTRC had been set up."
Speaking to FMT,its president Ajit Johl said all stakeholders should be represented in the PTTRC and it should report directly to the Prime Minister or the Transport Ministry.
He was reacting to a reader’s letter to The Star which said that using public transport was less feasible than driving one’s own vehicle because fares on LRT and BRT were exorbitant.
Ajit said Malaysians were suffering because nothing like a PTTRC had been set up."
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