V Ravindran, who formerly served in the Economic Planning Unit and Prasarana Malaysia Bhd, said minibuses could help solve first and last-mile problems which are discouraging Petaling Jaya residents from using public transport, especially trains.
“In PJ, many would rather brave the hour-long traffic jams on the Federal, LDP, NKVE or SPRINT highways due to slow, irregular or absent bus services to the train stations for the comfort of their cars,” he told FMT.
Ravindran was commenting on an FMT report about the traffic congestion in PJ, particularly along its inner roads, as road users look to bypass hour-long jams on the Federal Highway.
He said a demand-responsive transport (DRT) system based on minibuses was ideal. This would involve a fleet of minibuses operating in areas based on demand rather than a schedule.
People could use apps to hail a minibus, he said.
“Smaller vehicles (like minibuses) can easily navigate in a timely and safe mode through tight spaces such as housing areas or inner roads, ultimately reducing congestion and minimising cars on main roads and highways,” he said.
Ravindran said DRT systems were widely used in the UK and other countries. Earlier this month, a pilot DRT project was launched in Bandar Puteri Puchong covering 17 residential and 20 commercial areas.
The Selangor government is also set to introduce its own DRT system utilising vans this year.
He also said traffic dispersal solutions such as the proposed PJD Link can help ease traffic jams in the area and connect motorists, taxis, buses, and e-hailing vehicles to other public transport modes.
“A DRT or a planned bus system that works in tandem with a dispersal road link is also crucially important,” he said.
The 25.4km PJD Link will connect to five major railway lines, namely LRT3, MRT1, LRT Kelana Jaya, KTM Komuter and LRT Sri Petaling.
It is also expected to ease traffic on the LDP, NPE, Federal Highway, Kesas, and Bukit Jalil Highway.
“Currently, inner roads and housing areas are taking on the additional traffic load which delays the entry and exit of commuters into their homes,” Ravindran said.
This contributes to damaged roads, pollution, a drop in property prices, and frustration for commuters and homeowners.
“A highway designed to quickly and smoothly disperse traffic flow with an effective public transportation system would ultimately relieve many choke points of present highways and inner roads in PJ,” he said.