(Petaling Jaya, Wednesday): On Monday evening, some 1200 Putra LRT passengers were stranded after several trains came to a halt near Masjid Jamek, Pasar Senia and Kampung Baru due to the failure of the computer system, causing at least five passengers fainted form the stuff condition in the train.

The Putra LRT service was disrupted for more than two hours on Monday after both the central computer system which controls the movement of trains and the backup computer system failed simultaneously.

Despite an open apology and promise to prepare an internal report within 48 hours and a comprehensive report on the incident within 30 days from Putra LRT operator Rapid KL’s CEO Rein Westra, the incident is certainly another alarming signal showing that public transportation system in Malaysia, especially rail services in Klang Valley is in a deplorable condition whereby passengers do not enjoy quality services they should deserve while at the same time they have to pay higher and higher fare.

Since the announcement of the 30 sen petrol price hike on 28^th February 2006, the government has been urging the public to change lifestyle to accommodate for the higher fuel price and subsequently higher cost of living.

One of the many advices from the government to the people is to switch to public transportation to reduce dependence on gasoline-guzzling private vehicles. Despite similar calls from various government officers, the government should at the same time improve the quality of public transportation service in order to promote public transportation in Klang Valley.

It is important that the ‘pull and push’ factors are in place to ensure that public transportation system in Malaysia can become an added value to city life, not ending up of becoming a liability to the community.

One very serious problem that has to be overcome is the punctuality of public transportation system especially KTM Komuter and feeder bus services. Many commuters and passengers in Klang Valley are suffering from the lacks of punctuality from Komuter trains and Rapid KL buses.

For the past few years, DAP Selangor has been receiving numerous complaints on the service of KTM Komuters, either on late trains or on-the-spot cancellation of trains sevice without earlier notice which caught many innocent commuters in shock during peak hours. We even have complainants that complained KTM did not take actions despite several official complaints been made.

We view this as a serious matter which will definitely deteriorate the quality of life in Selangor, and certainly this is another reason why encouragement from the government to the people to switch to public transportations has always been poured with cold waters, simply because these systems are not reliable.

A major overhaul on our current public transportation in Klang Valley is a long-waited public exercise and must be conducted without wasting any time.

Therefore, we would like to suggest that

1. An overhaul on public transportation in Klang Valley be conducted, which include a review right from the conceptual planning to construction of any public transportation facilities.
2. The implementation of the concept “Public transportation before development” which includes a mandatory public transportation be in place (including rail system) before developing any new areas.
3. Full disclosure of the said comprehensive report from RAPID KL on the incident to the public after 30 days, including the disclosure of the party responsible for the incident. The report should not also be made available to the Minister as the public deserve the right to know the real of the break-down.