Opinion

Transforming Malaysia’s public transport: the time is now – Farizul Baharom

Time for govt to look into enticing private sector to invest, collaborate more actively

Updated 1 year ago · Published on 19 Jan 2023 2:43PM

Transforming Malaysia’s public transport: the time is now – Farizul Baharom
For transformation to take place within the public transport system, there needs to be a strong change agent as a catalyst, and such an agent needs to be guided by a roadmap, complete with deliverables and milestones. A provision of RM 2.8 billion to Prasarana is not going to make a significant systemic impact, opines Farizul Baharom. – SYEDA IMRAN/The Vibes file pic, January 19, 2023

OF late, there has been much talk about public transport and the reliability of our urban rail services.

The situation has been exacerbated by numerous breakdowns in Rapid Rail services in the face of increasing demand for public transport as we resume our way of life, post Covid-19 pandemic.

Obviously, the knives are out for the operators and the regulators, with suggestions to revamp Prasarana and revolutionise the public transport sectors. 

Whilst the anxiety in seeing scant improvement in public transport services is understandable, it is necessary to be patient and take a holistic perspective in transforming Malaysia’s public transport services. 

For clarity, public transport here encompasses transportation for the people, as well as those for freight and goods.

The burden of this transformation does not lie solely on the operators such as Rapid Rail (Prasarana) or Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd in the case of rail, and Rapid Bus, Mara Liner, and the like in the case of buses. 

These operators are merely actors, whose role is to implement the programmes and services within the framework and infrastructure designed and developed by the authorities.

The revamp of such operators may bring quick wins to the public transport industry, but it will certainly not be sustainable. 

In the absence of a comprehensive and actionable strategic road map to develop tangible key infrastructure and solutions in the form of progressive regulatory and developmental framework for financial and technical resilience, you are not planning for a sustainable and continuous improvement of service delivery. 

For a transformation to take place, there needs to be a strong change agent as a catalyst, and such an agent needs to be guided by a roadmap, complete with deliverables and milestones.

A provision of RM 2.8 billion to Prasarana is not going to make a significant systemic impact. 

Even “Superman” cannot transform the public transport industry. What will transform the industry is a methodological approach in identifying the root cause of the systemic shortcomings and operational failures so that such issues can be addressed conclusively.

The government’s current initiatives in pouring funds into the industry, like the aforementioned RM 2.8 billion to improve rail and bus services by “replacing equipment and increasing the number of trains” are not sustainable without the right regulatory and developmental framework in place.

The current framework simply cannot cope with the current demands of our urban conurbations and mobile lifestyles, let alone the growing demands in rural connectivity and logistics. 

We need to look into restructuring the public transport agencies and operators, as well as collaborations with the private sector, to introduce business sustainability and service excellence. Such a business model is on trial for the Iskandar Malaysia Bus Rapid Transit.

I know that it is easy to point out faults and to punch holes into the canvas that represents the current public transport landscape, but we should really take stock of our public transport condition, dedicate serious thoughts and effort towards driving the economy, and improving standards of living.

For starters, there are already a few substantive programs that can be looked at, among them being:

a. The restructuring of operators such as Prasarana and KTMB towards vertical separation and specialisation of roles (Asset Co, Operator Co, Infra Co);

b. The transformation and empowerment of RAC as network manager to allow the opening up of the rail network to multi-rail operators;

c. Considering a long-term programme towards establishing a “National Rolling Stock/Bus Co.” to standardise rolling stock or buses and enjoy economies of scale. Create asset light and nimble “OpCo” to encourage entry of competitive players into the market whilst enjoying optimal public transport procurement and maintenance advantage;

d. Reviewing the regulatory framework to create a conducive landscape to promote and regulate new public transports such as those specified in (a), as well as to enhance scope to cover consumer protection, in addition to proper network and route planning vis-a-vis property and road infrastructure development;

e. Creating a public transport development corporation, which will act as an agency to promote and enhance the business viability and economic sustainability of public transport business and operations, including exit strategies for sunset public transport businesses. A new business model should be considered to replace the unsustainable Interim Stage Bus Support Fund and the Stage Bus Services Transformation.

The public transport industry has been heavily financed and subsidised by the government.

It is time for the government to look into enticing the private sector to invest and collaborate more actively. 

This can only be done by having a comprehensive framework and transparently clear road map of the direction of our public transport industry – not an easy task, as it will have to involve the Finance Ministry working closely with the Transport Ministry, Local Government Development Ministry, Economy Ministry, and other relevant ministries.

If there is a time to do this, it is now. As mentioned by the transport minister himself, he is not “Superman” for him to be able to resolve public transport issues in a flash. We need more than “Superman”. 

We need a super government, one that is united towards a common cause, which manifests itself in the form of a safe, efficient, sustainable and integrated public transport system as the backbone of our nation. Let’s do this. – The Vibes, January 19, 2023

Farizul Baharom is a former independent checking expert at the Economic Planning Unit for the establishment of the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD), former head of legal and head of cross-border rail at SPAD, former head of public transport at the Transport Ministry, and former special adviser to the transport minister

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