Last updated: January 20, 2025
The Surprising Disconnect: Why Malaysians Shy Away from their RM120 Billion MRT System
Exploring factors behind low MRT passenger numbers in Kuala Lumpur and strategies for growth.
Contents
Abstract
This article aims to investigate the factors contributing to the underwhelming ridership of Kuala Lumpur's Mass Rapid Transport (MRT) system. The primary issues identified include low population density around stations, insufficient first/last-mile connectivity and a notable absence of infrastructure supporting pedestrian and human-powered modes of transportation. In this context, the article not only presents overarching concepts for improving the public transportation system, but also provides specific and cost-effective recommendations for the MRT Putrajaya Line that could lead to a significant increase in ridership.
Introduction
In 2010 it was decided by the Malaysian government to implement a state-of-the-art Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) for Kuala Lumpur to achieve the following goals:
- Efficient Mobility: Provide fast and efficient transportation, reducing the ever worsening traffic congestion problem in Klang Valley.
- Reduced Dependency on Cars: Encourage a shift from private car usage, saving energy and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
- Environmental Sustainability: Promote eco-friendly transportation, reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Economic Growth: Attract investments, stimulate economic activity, and enhance property values along their routes.
- Increased inclusion: Give more freedom to individuals with limited physical capabilities or financial resources.
- Quality of Life: Improves overall quality of life by reducing stress, noise, congestion and pollution.
As of 2024, two lines - the Kajang Line and Putrajaya Line - have been successfully constructed at a total cost of RM78 billion. Furthermore, a third line - the Circle Line - is currently in its planning phase with an additional investment of about RM45 billion. This train network is considered the largest infrastructure project ever undertaken in Malaysia.
Users of the new MRT system would unanimously attest to the world-class quality of its stations and trains, which
easily rival those in cities like Seoul and Singapore. Moreover, care was taken to ensure that ticket prices are
affordable for everyone. However, despite these favorable aspects, ridership falls considerably short of initial
expectations. For instance, the Kajang line was originally projected to serve approximately 442,000 daily commuters. Yet, since
its inauguration in 2017, actual ridership has only recently surpassed half of that figure.
Meanwhile, the average road user in Kuala Lumpur wastes 75 hours each year stuck in traffic congestion - not even counting the time it takes to find a parking space.
"I spend about 1½ hours driving [my kids] to school and then another one to 1½ hours to drive back home. I feel like I am spending almost half my life in the car."
A citizen of Kuala Lumpur.
So why haven't Kuala Lumpur residents embraced the opulent and expensive new MRT lines, preferring instead to continue using their private vehicles?
Why Ridership Remains Low
Essentially, there are three simple reasons why many people choose to endure the daily commute in their own cars despite the traffic congestion:
Insufficient Network Density
Commuters seek convenience and proximity to their destinations. Addressing this fundamental challenge demands dedicated politicians who recognize the vital role of public transportation and prioritize its expansion.
Operational and Design Issues
Train Reliability and frequency: The reduced number of trainsets has led to extended waiting times between departures, a significant drawback for MRT passengers. A 10-minute train frequency, while a step in the right direction, still falls short of the standards set by modern metro systems around the world. Additionally, prolonged service outages, some stretching up to a year, have been a cause for frustration and dissatisfaction among commuters.
Communication Challenges: Efficient communication during service interruptions is pivotal to providing a positive commuting experience. Regrettably, the MRT system in Kuala Lumpur often falls short in this regard, leaving passengers uninformed and dissatisfied.
Maintenance Woes: The infrastructure of MRT stations has also raised concerns. Issues such as ceilings with water leaks, broken escalators, elevators, and toilets create a less-than-ideal environment for passengers.
Station size: One notable point of contention among users of Kuala Lumpur's new MRT lines is the enormous size of the stations. Commuters often find themselves faced with long walks to reach the train platforms, which can be a source of frustration and inconvenience.
Inaccessible Stations
This issue runs deeper and warrants further exploration: What factors contribute to the station's inaccessibility?
Unfavourable Station Locations
During the construction phase, cost-saving measures like the avoidance of extensive tunneling work often led to the placement of MRT stations along highways or in underdeveloped areas rather than in locations where people live and work. This has resulted in disappointingly low population density around the stations. Unfortunately, valuable land adjacent to the MRT stations is frequently underutilized, occupied by:
- Low-density gated communities with single-family homes (example)
- Private parks (example)
- Government facilities, e.g. fire stations, police stations or military barracks (example)
- Massive Park-and-ride parking spaces or multi-story parkings (example)
Roads as Obstacles
Similar to numerous other young cities in Asia and North America, Kuala Lumpur has largely structured its urban development around automobile-centric infrastructure. This emphasis on car-centric planning has led to an ever increasing amount of highways that crisscross and dissect established neighborhoods within the city. Unsurprisingly, the pervasive road networks and expressways have emerged as the principal hurdles confronting daily commuters on their journey to reach the nearest train station. What is increasingly prevalent is the disheartening reality that apartment complexes, housing thousands of potential users of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system, find themselves isolated by seemingly insurmountable highways, creating a stark physical and psychological divide between residents and the public transportation network.
Private Neighborhoods as Obstacles
Gated communities and cordoned-off residential areas further worsen the accessibility of public transport stops. These closed-off places compel pedestrians and cyclists to take a diversion on their way to the station, often along a busy road. Additionally, gated communities frequently prevent cars from using the direct route to their destination, leading drivers to divert onto main roads, which further deteriorates the overall traffic situation.
Neglected Pedestrian Infrastructure
In Kuala Lumpur, the condition of pedestrian infrastructure leaves much to be desired, ranging from subpar to completely absent in some areas. This unfortunate reality places the lives of those who venture to walk to public transport stations at considerable risk. Navigating the city's streets on foot can be a perilous endeavor, with inadequate sidewalks, poorly marked crosswalks, and a lack of pedestrian-friendly amenities making the journey treacherous. Many drivers also assume that pedestrians will wait until they have driven by - even at zebra crossings and green pedestrian lights. As a result, many residents opt for the perceived safety and convenience of their own cars when commuting, further exacerbating the city's traffic congestion and environmental challenges.
Vehicle-dependent public transport
Public transit faces significant challenges in areas with low population density around its stations. Kuala Lumpur's MRT system is no exception, as it often requires commuters to rely on private vehicles, e-hailing services like Grab, or feeder buses to access the stations. However, each of these options presents its unique set of challenges.
Private Vehicle Dilemma: Many commuters choose to use their private vehicles for the entire journey to their destinations rather than
- navigating the traffic to reach the MRT station
- finding a parking spot at the regularly overflowing Park N' Ride facility
- the need to have another bus journey to reach their final destination
E-hailing Quandary: E-hailing services like Grab offer an alternative way to reach MRT stations. However, this convenience comes at a cost that can offset the economic advantages of using public transport. Affordability remains a key issue for many commuters, especially in areas where public transit is intended to provide a more economical mode of transportation.
Feeder Bus Challenges: The feeder bus system, a crucial link between residential areas and MRT stations, faces a number of issues of its own. In its current form, the coverage area of feeder buses is often limited, leaving many potential passengers without convenient access. Moreover, the overall number of feeder buses is insufficient, leading to discomfort for those who do use them. These buses are frequently plagued by unreliability, making it difficult for passengers to plan their journeys with confidence.
They often become ensnared in the same traffic jams that plague private vehicles, leading to unpredictable schedules and longer travel times. The low frequency of feeder bus services further compounds the problem, as passengers often must wait for extended periods without a reliable timetable to guide their travels.
General recommendations
Boost Population Density Near Stations: Construct high-density, affordable condominiums around transit stations to increase ridership. One mid-sized condo leads to more MRT users than a huge park-and-ride lot at the same location. Rededicate land near MRT stations wherever necessary, e.g. by relocating police stations. Focus on developing condos and pedestrian friendly neighborhoods at yet undeveloped stations, such as Bandar Malaysia. Ensure affordability as a key criterion for these developments. Reconsider whether the first 6-10 floors of these apartment blocks really need to be used as car park.
Pedestrian and Cyclist-Friendly Infrastructure: Prioritize pedestrian and cyclist safety by providing wide sidewalks, ground-level pedestrian crossings and bike lanes which are separated from traffic. Make sure that the public space can be accessed by wheelchair users. Sidewalks and bike paths should have ramps and curb cuts for easy access. Create more connecting pathways between neighborhoods and to stations, as described in the following chapter using the Putrajaya Line as an example. During construction work, ensure safe rerouting of footpaths and proper traffic control.
Prevent the spread of gated communities: They often impede traffic flow and obstruct the direct routes for pedestrians and cyclists to reach their destinations. Many Malaysians are rightfully concerned about home security, prompting a need to strengthen law enforcement presence and reduce crime rates in Kuala Lumpur. This would enable residents to feel secure in their residences, even without the necessity of residing within gated communities or fenced-off neighborhoods.
Efficient Feeder Bus Network: Create a much denser network of shuttle buses that provide convenient access to stations. These buses should run frequently, have dedicated lanes on major roads to avoid traffic congestion, and have a fixed timetable that commuters can rely on. Once the enhanced feeder bus network is established, consider replacing park-and-ride lots at the stations with affordable condos.
Maintain Public Infrastructure: Ensure consistent and efficient maintenance of public transport systems. Year-long interruptions, as occurred in 2023, are not acceptable. If trainsets are out of service, prioritize their prompt repair. This principle should also apply to pedestrian infrastructure.
Redirect Infrastructure Funding: Shift funding from building new roads to enhancing and expanding public transportation systems. A denser network encourages more people to switch from private vehicles, mitigating traffic issues.
Optimal Station Locations: Avoid repeating past mistakes in station placement for new projects like the MRT Circle Line. Prioritize stations at locations where people live and work to achieve the primary goal of reducing traffic congestion.
Enforcement: Kuala Lumpur City Hall needs to strictly enforce traffic rules. Key recommendations include:
- Pedestrian and Bicycle Lane Offenses: Promptly tow vehicles parked on bike lanes and pedestrian walkways and remove unauthorized food stalls, prioritizing pedestrian and cyclist safety.
- Bus Lane Violations: Introduce fines for regular vehicles using bus lanes.
- Ensure Fine Payment: Discontinue the practice of discounts on parking tickets and increase monitoring of on-time payment of fines to promote accountability.
- Legal Consequences: Consider aligning with international standards where non-payment of traffic violation tickets may result in legal actions, including the possibility of imprisonment for chronic offenders.
Discourage Driving: Increase the cost of driving through measures such as city congestion charges and phasing out petrol subsidies to encourage alternative transportation modes.
Political Commitment: Support leaders who understand the importance of shifting the city's focus from car-centric to public transport and bicycle-centric systems. Take inspiration from successful leaders like Paris' mayor, Anne Hidalgo.
Learn from Success: Examine and draw inspiration from cities that have successfully implemented a modern multi-modal urban transport system, e.g. Copenhagen, Singapore or Seoul. The city of Amsterdam for example went ahead and open-sourced their guidebook on how to build livable and accessible cities, called the Handboek Rood (Red Book), so there is no need to reinvent the wheel.
Assessment and Targeted Recommendations for the Putrajaya Line
The challenges we discussed earlier are prominently evident when examining the Putrajaya Line. The map below assesses the accessibility of each station and offers specific recommendations for enhancements.
Upon selecting any station, which can be done by either clicking on the station symbol on the map or by making a choice from the top-down menu located at the top of the map, three types of information will become visible:
- A summary pop-up offering a general assessment and a star rating for the station.
- Three distinct polygons in various colors, known as the Reach Analysis, will become visible. The green polygon represents the area accessible within a 5-minute walk from the station, while the yellow polygon indicates a 10-minute walking distance, and the red polygon signifies a 15-minute walk. The station is considered easily accessible if these polygons are as extensive and circular as possible.
- Green-colored lines are displayed, which represent recommended additional pathways to enhance the station's accessibility.
What became clear during the research is that even relatively small investments in pedestrian infrastructure can significantly boost ridership. By allocating funds similar to those used for a short highway section, the city could connect tens of thousands of Kuala Lumpur residents to the MRT Line. To illustrate, consider the case of the Sri Delima (PY12) station in the city's northern region:
For any public transit station, it is paramount that commuters can move in any direction without encountering obstacles such as impassable roads, private gated communities, rivers or lakes. Well-designed stations, therefore, feature expansive, circular polygons in the Reach Analysis. Conversely, the Reach Analysis for Sri Delima clearly highlights that Taman Wahyu, the neighborhood northeast of the station, is only accessible via a lengthy detour along a busy road devoid of sidewalks. From my own experience, I can say that no one is willing to expose themselves to this danger. This problem could easily be solved by building a simple footbridge over the lake. This minor addition would enable residents of Lakecity, Lakeville, Eco Sky, and other condominiums, with an estimated collective occupancy of at least 10,000 people, to access the station safely.