Most Malaysians have probably been wondering why the usage of public transport has dropped to 10% (from 34%) in a short decade - despite billions of RM being 'invested' into public transport projects and talk of more billions to come.
And they probably wonder how these investments, funneled through projects like Intrakota, RapidKL, Prasarana, RapidPenang and KTM's Komuter expansion - have not led to increased use of public transport
The answer is relatively simple but hard for most to acknowledge - despite all the billions invested, we have failed to change the way that public transport is regulated, managed, and organised in this country. In other words, we are following the classic definition of insanity - we are doing the same thing over and over again - not to mention, spending money on an even larger scale - and wondering why it is not working.
In this fragmented, bureaucratic system, permit owners and operators can absolve themselves of responsibility by simply pointing fingers at each other. They can prevent good ideas and initiatives from taking place by simply objecting as loudly as possible - without needing any facts or accuracy - or creating a maze of regulations that would frustrate the most ardent supporter of improved public transport.
There are so many examples - Klang Sentral has been open for a year but the buses still operate at North Klang bus terminal (which is the proper site according to their permits) and no one can come up with a compromise. Rawang's terminal has been ready for six months but the CVLB permits for the operators (which direct buses to stop at the old terminal) have not been changed.
KTM completed the double tracking and electrification project from Rawang to Ipoh in early 2007 but someone refused to or forget to buy the trains until mid-2008. Illegal van and taxi services are receiving permits and companies are profiting from introducing costly 'coupon' systems that are as expensive as the fares quoted by the touts on the street - and the CVLB has not resolved the issues with taxis in Penang.
Worst of all is that bus and taxi operators are still poorly paid, have no system of benefits and are basically exploited by the permit owners, blamed by the public, and ignored by the government.
The stories go on and on, and we will continue to hear the same stories again and again if we do not work to change the way that public transport is regulated, managed and organised in Malaysia.
The irony is that efforts are being made to change things, but at the same time, there are a few irresponsible people, including public servants, politicians, and public transport operators, who are working to maintain the current system. It is amazing that they would prefer a mash of 'entrepreneurial' public transport made up of thousands of 'entrepreneurial' permit owners and 'entrepreneurial' operators - but they are thinking of their own private interests, not service to the public.
In 2008 I wrote a paper to the minister offFinance recommending that the responsibility for the regulation, management and oversight of public transport in Malaysia should be put under a single National Public Transport Authority, and this authority should be placed under the Prime Minister's Office. I even recommended that the prime minister himself take responsibility for improving public transport - because as the highest politician in the land he would have the authority and the political will to get something accomplished.
The National Public Transport Authority that I proposed in 2008 has become the Land Public Transport Commission in 2010. The bill creating this commission was passed in Parliament on April 22 and the commission has been placed temporarily under the Prime Minister's Department. All that is left is for Prime Minister Najib, who is also Finance Minister, to appoint himself as the first chairperson of Spad.
Najib could also choose to appoint an MP as chairperson and I have already suggested that Johor Baru MP Shahrir Abdul Samad would make a fine candidate. But I prefer that Najib take on the responsibility himself.
Bureaucracy and fragmentation of government has created numerous agencies in numerous ministries that seem to be more interested in office politics than in getting things done. But Najib, as prime minister, finance minister, and chair of Spad, would be able to cut through the bureaucracy and the confusion and make public transport work by making Spad work - encouraging change from within.
The prime minister has made it very clear - by placing public transport as a National Key Result Area - that he wants to get things done. He has also made it clear that he wants open, public consultation.
Some people will complain that the prime minister is already doing too much. Others will say that he is concentrating too much power in the Prime Minister's Department. But as the saying goes, ‘If you want to get something done, give it to a busy person’.
