Hope for Public Transportation?

It was interesting to note the study by American Public Transportation Association that swapping a second car with public transport could save up to US$6,200 per year. This certainly gives encouragement and reason for government to further improve the public transportation system.

From my family's experience in Penang, my dad could travel to work within 30 minutes with public bus. This was before the public bus system in Penang was revamp and the cost is only RM1 per trip. When the government increased the fuel price and promised to improve the public transportation system, the entire bus system in Penang was revamped.

After the change in system and policy, my dad's travelling time increased almost double and paid twice the amount for the trip. This sort of improvement does not seems to benefit the society and the economy as a whole. What sort of improvement to the society when it becomes more costly to travel in public transportation?

If US$6,200 could be saved by using public transportation, similar argument could not explain the situation in Malaysia. Although the price of public transportation does not increase significantly, the other opportunity costs associated with travelling in public transport has certainly increase. The waiting time has increased; the efficiency of public transportation, the comfort or the convenience has certainly decreased tremendously. All these are economic costs to the consumer of public transportation.

Public bus is never punctual with non-functioning air-conditioning.
Light rail transit (LRT) is always crowded like sardin in a can.
Taxi fare is unreasonably high.

The government should put in serious effort in improving the public transportation with the society as the focal point. By improving the public transportation, such a huge sum of expenditure could be saved and eventually the extra savings could flow into the economy to generate more wealth in the society. It takes practical and good planning in addition with strong political will to improve the public transportation of Malaysia. Let's ponder on the improvement!