Poor first, last mile connectivity hinders public transport use, say experts
PETALING JAYA : First and last mile connectivity is one of the main problems the government must address to increase confidence in the use of public transport, says a transport consultant.
Wan Agyl Wan Hassan, founder of the transport think tank My Mobility Vision, said many Malaysians still prefer using their own vehicles as they lack easy access to MRT or LRT stations from their homes.
The absence of frequent feeder buses and the lack of pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly infrastructure also contribute to the challenge, he said.
Wan Agyl said this situation contributes to high vehicle density on the roads and leads to severe congestion, especially in major cities like Kuala Lumpur.
Wan Agyl Wan Hassan.
'Issues like the absence of first-mile and last-mile connections, bus delays, irregular schedules, and poor integration between buses, rail, and other services make people prefer driving their own vehicles,' he told FMT.
'Cities like Singapore, Seoul, and Tokyo have not only succeeded in changing public attitudes toward public transport but, more importantly, have created systems that are truly user-friendly, reliable and fully integrated.
'Without such systems in place, awareness campaigns alone will not change anything.'
Wan Agyl added that the National Transport Policy (NTP) and National Automotive Policy (NAP) must be aligned to avoid conflict, especially regarding the country's goal of achieving 40% public transport usage while continuing to develop the automotive sector.
'As long as these two policies are not harmonised, the country's aspirations toward the widespread use of public transport will remain stalled,' he said.
He was responding to deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's statement on Tuesday that the country's 25% public transport usage rate could be improved with a shift in user attitudes through a combination of reliable public transport systems and comprehensive awareness campaigns.
Road transport expert Law Teik Hua said it is crucial to solve poor first- and last-mile connectivity before raising public awareness about public transport.
Law Teik Hua.
'Awareness alone is not enough if the public transport system itself is not user-friendly, reliable, or doesn't reach where people live,' the Universiti Putra Malaysia academic said.
'People will choose public transport when it is easier, affordable, and dependable. If they have to walk far to a station, wait too long, or face overcrowding, they will return to using cars.'
Law said providing a nationwide public transport system requires long-term planning, a lesson Malaysia could learn from Singapore.
He said while public transport is easier to plan in Singapore compared with Malaysia due to the former's smaller footprint, the basic principles of long-term planning, consistent investment, and integrated systems remain relevant.
'Malaysia can learn from Singapore's success in integrated transit planning, smart pricing strategies, and data-driven approaches to improving service quality,' he said.
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