When civil engineer and urban planner Lam Ching Fu decided to explore Malaysia by bus in 2015, many of his friends were taken by surprise.
“They said it would be difficult and that the buses were not punctual, but given my stubborn nature, I wanted to try them for myself,” said the 41-year-old who had just given up his job and wanted to take some time off to travel before deciding his future.
Given that he completed his master’s degree in Germany on bus rapid transit systems, Lam was especially interested in getting to know the local bus system as well as studying Malaysian town and city planning.
“I left Malaysia after Form Six and lived abroad for about 10 years, so, I never got the opportunity to explore my own country, despite having travelled to other parts of the world,” he explained.
Lam spent a total of seven months exploring Malaysia by bus. The first part of the journey covered the northern states of Perak, Penang, Perlis and Kedah; the second part covered the east coast states of Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan, while the third part encompassed the southern states of Melaka, Negeri Sembilan and Johor.
“A friend who saw my posts on Instagram was surprised that I could travel to all these amazing places by bus and suggested that I share my experiences,” he said, adding that he documented his travels in his journal.
In 2017, he self-published the Chinese version of his book “My Journey by Bus”, which covered his travels in the northern states. The English version came out two years later.
The Chinese version of the second part of his book which covers the east coast states came out in 2020, and the English version is slated for release later this year. The release of the Malay and Japanese versions is in the pipeline.
“Many Japanese people living in Malaysia requested that I release a Japanese version,” he explained, adding that he did his undergraduate degree in Japan.
His books include the route of his travels, maps, coloured photographs, as well as detailed information on the buses he took, including ticket prices and duration of travel.
But what makes the book especially endearing is Lam’s thoughtful musings and earnest introspection, especially given his curious nature and eye for detail.
His retelling of the conversations he had with all the colourful characters he met on the road, as well as the interesting nuggets of history he provides on the different places makes one want to pack their bags and hop onto the next bus.
Armed with just a backpack and an iPhone, Lam decided not to plan or research anything beforehand, opting for a spontaneous, carefree and “slow travel” approach.
He decided his next destination at random upon arriving at the bus station. He would then walk and explore the area, before putting up the night at a local guesthouse.
“Our bus system is rather good and comprehensive. Traveling by bus allowed me to see places and meet people that I would otherwise not have had the opportunity to,” he shared, adding that given the raised bus seats, one has a better and wider view of the surroundings compared to when travelling by car.
And contrary to what some may think, the buses are rather punctual. “Once, I was one minute late and I missed the bus,” he said, laughing.
On the flip side, there were a few occasions when he couldn’t visit a particular place since no buses travelled the route. “So, I just went with the flow and went wherever the bus would take me.”
When asked his thoughts on intracity buses in the Klang Valley, he suggested that bus timetables be uploaded on to websites or apps so people can plan their journeys.
He also stressed the importance of “last mile connectivity”, which is the connection from bus stops to passengers’ destinations.
“Most of the time, we’re forced to illegally cross busy roads, risking our lives in the process. Urban planners should ensure that pedestrians are protected and that they get to their destination safely; only then can we attract more people to use public transport,” he explained.
Ultimately, Lam hopes more people will travel by bus so they can experience what he felt. “You can use my book for guidance and start with short weekend trips.”
‘My Journey by Bus’ retails at RM80 and can be purchased at Kinokuniya and independent bookstores such as Gerakbudaya, Areca Books, Riwayat, Tokosue and The Biblio Press.