The Transport Ministry has no plans to introduce special coaches for female passengers on the Light Rail Transit (LRT) service, like that on the Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad's (KTMB) commuter service.

Its minister, Ong Tee Keat, said the reason being that the LRT operator was focusing more on improving its services for the general public, like reducing their waiting time than for the comfort of a certain gender.

"However, it all depends on the operator," he told reporters after opening a counselling progamme for SPM and STPM students at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Pandan Mewah here today.

Ong said that the LRT would be getting 26 additional coaches next year to cater for the increase in passengers, of seven percent for the Kelana Jaya route last year.

Waiting time slashed to 2 mins

With the additional coaches, the waiting time would be reduced from 2.8 minutes to only two minutes, he added.

On the Bus Expressway Transit (BET) service, Ong said the ministry would reschedule the trip from Seri Muda, Shah Alam to Pasar Seni due to traffic congestion on the route to both locations.

Since it was introduced last Jan 12, BET has four routes, including from Seri Muda, Shah Alam to Pasar Seni.

The others are from Sungai Long to Pasar Seni, Subang Mewah to Pasar Seni and Kota Damansara to Pasar Seni.

"We will look at the routes again to ensure that the buses do not enter congested areas during peak hours," he added

- Bernama