Experts split over RM2.8bil grant to improve Prasarana’s services
Experts said Prasarana must solve first and last mile connectivity, as the current feeder services offered were inefficient.
PETALING JAYA: Two transport experts have expressed differing opinions over Prasarana Malaysia Bhd’s plan to spend a total of RM2.8 billion to improve rail transit and bus services.
Transport consultant Rosli Azad Khan said the injection was not an effective allocation of funds, adding that it looked like a “rushed job”.
“This is a long-standing problem; simply throwing good money into a bad situation, without a deeper understanding of the issues involved, will not bring about a good long-term solution,” Rosli told FMT.
However, former Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) official, Wan Agyl Wan Hassan hailed the government’s investment, as Prasarana was overdue for an infrastructure upgrade, to meet people’s mobility needs.
PETALING JAYA: Two transport experts have expressed differing opinions over Prasarana Malaysia Bhd’s plan to spend a total of RM2.8 billion to improve rail transit and bus services.
Transport consultant Rosli Azad Khan said the injection was not an effective allocation of funds, adding that it looked like a “rushed job”.
“This is a long-standing problem; simply throwing good money into a bad situation, without a deeper understanding of the issues involved, will not bring about a good long-term solution,” Rosli told FMT.
However, former Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) official, Wan Agyl Wan Hassan hailed the government’s investment, as Prasarana was overdue for an infrastructure upgrade, to meet people’s mobility needs.
Prasarana chief executive Azharuddin Mat Sah said on Monday that the RM2.8 billion provision from the finance and transport ministries would involve all the public transport services run by Prasarana.
Rosli said Prasarana’s management must be revamped. It was unnecessary for the rail operator to have many layers of management between the parent company and its subsidiaries such as Rapid Rail and Rapid Bus.
“This makes Prasarana a highly complex, top-heavy organisation. Prasarana needs to be injected with more competent team members, who support public transport.
“This is a public transport company that should be viewed as such, with effective and efficient operation. That’s all, nothing complicated about it but it needs competent and qualified personnel,” Rosli said.
Wan Agyl said he understood the rationale behind the provision, but noted that studies must be conducted to guarantee that the RM2.8 billion would also meet future transport demands.
“We’re talking about projected ridership, station capacity, passenger flow, and interchange upgrades to provide seamless connection and a better travelling experience,” said the former SPAD group operations head of policy and planning.
Both Rosli and Wan Agyl agreed that the authorities should tackle the issue of first and last mile connectivity.
“LRT needs an effective bus support system for the first and last mile. (For example) school mini-buses can play an effective role to reduce the number of cars on the road and manage congestion.
“Most of the time, these buses are available but current regulations prohibit them from offering any services to the public,” Rosli said.
Wan Agyl said Prasarana’s feeder services were inefficient.
“At present, people are reluctant to go by bus but have little alternative, and the annoyance will transfer into lost productivity. We used to have SPAD to monitor the fund utilisation versus progress and milestone achievement.
“But now I think we simply have to trust Prasarana to achieve the required results, which I believe they can, with good government guidance,” Wan Agyl added.
Rosli said Prasarana’s management must be revamped. It was unnecessary for the rail operator to have many layers of management between the parent company and its subsidiaries such as Rapid Rail and Rapid Bus.
“This makes Prasarana a highly complex, top-heavy organisation. Prasarana needs to be injected with more competent team members, who support public transport.
“This is a public transport company that should be viewed as such, with effective and efficient operation. That’s all, nothing complicated about it but it needs competent and qualified personnel,” Rosli said.
Wan Agyl said he understood the rationale behind the provision, but noted that studies must be conducted to guarantee that the RM2.8 billion would also meet future transport demands.
“We’re talking about projected ridership, station capacity, passenger flow, and interchange upgrades to provide seamless connection and a better travelling experience,” said the former SPAD group operations head of policy and planning.
Both Rosli and Wan Agyl agreed that the authorities should tackle the issue of first and last mile connectivity.
“LRT needs an effective bus support system for the first and last mile. (For example) school mini-buses can play an effective role to reduce the number of cars on the road and manage congestion.
“Most of the time, these buses are available but current regulations prohibit them from offering any services to the public,” Rosli said.
Wan Agyl said Prasarana’s feeder services were inefficient.
“At present, people are reluctant to go by bus but have little alternative, and the annoyance will transfer into lost productivity. We used to have SPAD to monitor the fund utilisation versus progress and milestone achievement.
“But now I think we simply have to trust Prasarana to achieve the required results, which I believe they can, with good government guidance,” Wan Agyl added.
The worst thing that can happen is leakage or contracts to "own people"
ReplyDeleteSomebody has to keep an eye from the very beginning to impress upon the relevant players that public funds cannot be frittered away as in the past.