The traffic congestion in Klang Valley has been returning to how it was during the pre-Covid times following the government’s announcement that the country transitions to endemicity.
The congestion was so bad that many have no choice but to spend 30 to 90 minutes in the traffic while commuting to work and home.
While traffic congestion in the Klang Valley is not something new, it seems to be getting from bad to worse, with many voicing out their frustrations to the transport ministry, urging them to do something to improve the situation.
Meanwhile, the CEO of KTMB has also given his comment on the traffic congestion and he suggested that the traffic jams are caused no other by Malaysians themselves.
In an interview with Utusan Malaysia, Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) Chief Executive Officer Mohd Rani Hisham Samsudin said traffic congestions are caused by the public’s refusal to take public transport.
“If people are willing to take KTM, it can potentially improve the traffic in Klang Valley,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said this can be reflected in the sharp decline in KTM users. “In the Klang Valley alone, only 21,000 passengers are taking the train every day when the full capacity is 40,000 passengers. This figure shows that at least half of the train remains empty,” he said.
Rani added that KTMB has launched several campaigns to encourage Malaysians to use public but to no avail as most people prefer to drive on their own.
Rani also responded to the complaints about the long train frequency of KTM, with one having to wait about 15 to 30 minutes for the next train, and said that it would take them up to five years for the issue to be fully resolved.
“The train frequency will gradually increase and eventually take only 7 minutes for each train to arrive as compared to the current 30- 45 minute wait,” he said.
Meanwhile, Rani’s remarks had sparked a massive backlash among netizens as they claimed that the public was reluctant to use public transportation due to inefficiencies on KTMB’s side.
“Such an incomplete public transportation system. How do you expect citizens to take it? And you dare to say that it’s convenient. In that case, I request all the ministers to take a ride to work for themselves!” a netizen commented.
“Spend so much money building public transportation that is extremely inefficient for citizens to use, only to say that it’s our fault for not utilising it. Sweet.” another netizen said.
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