1M PM6 : Smell our suffering ... in KTMB commuter and public transportation

Being an optimist, I eagerly accepted his invitation for an evening out in Subang Jaya. We decided to use public transportation system. It's a mistake. A BIG mistake !

1. 4 weeks after KTMB : The sauna within was posted, a friend called to ensure me that KTMB has make tremendous efforts to resolve the problems. Being an optimist, I eagerly accepted his invitation for an evening out in Subang Jaya. We decided to use public transportation system. It's a mistake. A BIG mistake !
   
2. Recalling that 1M PM6 has visited Petaling street, Brickfield and Kg Kerinchi on 4th April 2009, we mapped out our journey from KL's golden triangle. Which better place to start the journey if not Lot 10, right?
3. First, we choose RapidKL bus transit system. Since we will be ending our journey in Subang Jaya, we opt to use route B110 to go to KL Sentral. 5 minutes, 10, 15, 45 minutes and no sign of B110. Well, we go for our plan B, use KL monorail system from Bukit Bintang station. Not bad, it is timely but the crowd - let me put it this way, there is no comfort zone between you and the other person next to you. Reminiscense of BMW (Bas mini wilayah), perhaps?
4. Off we go to Brickfields station and then walked the winding route to KL Sentral. You see, the normal straight route from Brickfields station to KL Sentral has been sealed off to make way for construction works aka development. Imagine all those handicapped people (the blinds and the wheelchair bound) groping and wheeling towards KL Sentral. And it's not near, mind you. There goes the friendly approach of public transportation, at least the infrastructure part.
5. Things got worse from there...the waiting area were cramped, interwining between the Port Klang bound with those of Seremban bound passengers. Although the platforms for both destinations were separated, at least in terms of rails, but the platform area is not. The platform area is too small, way too small to accomodate the rush hour crowd! And it's hot too...there goes the "efficient planning" of KL Sentral. Passengers were cursing KTMB on this inconvenience, I curse the Con-Sultan (sorry WJ, i borrow your spelling here) for their inconsiderate planning. And for this, the government pay those con-Sultans normal hefty fees of between 12 ~ 15 % of the project cost? These con-Sultans' fees should be deducted for their slipshot crowd-unfriendly planning! If they do not know, they can alsways consult the regular passengers there and I am sure they will be more than willing to give their practical advise.
   
6. 5, 10, 15 minutes and the announcement came. Commuter to Port Klang (passing Subang Jaya) will be arriving soon. Good announcement, multi-lingual BUT no indication which line to follow! You see, KTMB has marked different lines for different commuters. Shouldn't the announcement include this ? No, not for those few announcement. Everyone is lining everywhere. Some line up behind the green line, some behind the blue, some behind the red whilst the rest lingerred everywhere. It came, full passengers inside and those inside forcing to go in. If you think that KL monorail is bad, the commuters are worse, let's say 3 times worse than KL monorail. You remember the term sardine-pack? This is worse than sardine-pack!!
   
7. So we both decided to wait. 2 commuters trains passed and we were still waiting. Finally, we decided that's it, no more acting like gentlemen. We just follow the crowd on the next commuter train. It's so bad, everyone sweating and sweating.
   
8. If Shaziman of Public Works Ministry thought that his 15 minutes wait at the toll plaza is bad, come over to KL around 5.30 pm and experience the peoples' plight. And since Shaziman is not in charge of KTMB, he is welcome to bring along OTK. He can even invite 1M PM6 himself to smell the sweats and see the sea of people in KL Sentral.
9. If Shaziman is concern with the time wastage waiting at the toll plaza, can he calculate the tome wastage due to waiting time for commuters? Unless, of course, Shaziman is more concern of those driving to work. How many in a car? 1 ir 2...mostly 1 in a car. What about us, commuters and other public transport users? Are we too "ikan bilis" for concern. Those in cars queing up to pay tol has the comfort of air cond, and space, what about these poor souls waiting for commuter trains?
   
10. Like previous posting, it has been mentioned that KTMB is aiming for RM1 profit. At least KTMB has the decency to aim for profit, eventhough RM1. PKFZ? They are going for RM 12 B blunder...If only they can divert that RM 12 B to public transport...After all, both KTMB and PKFZ comes under the purview of OTK, the Transport Minister.
    
11. And touching back about rapidKL bus that we missed at Lot 10. Who is the person who draw the route? Is he a maze lover? B110 weaver from Bukit Bintang, passed through Jalan Brickfieds, meanders around mid-valley before turning back and off loading at KL Sentral. Based on friendly chat, that trip will take 1 to 1.5 hours during peak hours. Can't rapidKL go for the simplest solution? That of the nearest route between 2 destinations is a straight line! A standard 1 kid knows that...If the route planner is at loss, he can always ask for feedbacks.
12. I have said my piece and I am still hot. So dear PM, I know you are too busy to read blogs and what more this anon blog. But, if your officers happen to read, please make an effort to contact me and I will be more than willing to bring you along for an "educational" trip from Bukit Bintang to Subang Jaya using KL monorail (belonging to government via Prasarana), KTM commuter (government owned run by KTMB). And 1M PM 6 need not worry. The fares and teh tarik will be sponsored by yours truly. What I ask for is just one request, can we make it during weekdays (Friday being the best) and we do it after the school holidays? That way, 1M PM6, Shaziman and OTK can smell the sweat, see the crowd, feel the frustration of public transport consumers. Am I asking too much, Mr PM?
    
13. Say what you want guys, at least I have tried. Whether PM 6 will respond or not depends on his numerous assistants and special officers. And if any of you knows 1M PM6, please pass the message to him...the public has suffered so much and if PKFZ may end up blundering RM 12B, it is time for the government to spend money to improve the public transportation NOW. Talk only without action is driving your supporters away. Please do the right thing, just for once, now...
    
    Till then...G'nite M'sia...wherever u are...