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Yoursay: Fears of overcrowding of pared-down LRT3 unfounded

YOURSAY | 'Frequency of trains can be increased during peak hours, and off-peak discounts given.'

Netizens worry about 'sardine' trains in wake of LRT3 cost-cutting measures

Anticommunalist: What is the use of saving 50 percent of the cost now but delaying its use by four years?

What are the costs incurred for this four-year delay that the rakyat will have to undergo in terms of traffic, delays, et cetera?

What guarantee is there that these smaller trains will not need to be upgraded in the near future when passenger capacity rises? How much more will it cost the rakyat then?

Malaysian_Engineer: There are many ways to boost volume along a rail network as Light Rail Transit (LRT) and rail lines, in general, operate along a closed loop.

In other words, trains move along the same rail network up and down through their operation period, with strategically-placed passing sidings.

Increasing the number of cars from three-car to six-car trains is one way of increasing the volume of passengers that can be handled. The other way to increase volume is by increasing the frequency of the three-car trains during peak hours.

Taking into account the timing needed for trains to maintain safe distances between each other, as well as safe speeds to traverse different parts of the rail network, more train sets can be scheduled to run along the direction in which it is needed during rush hour to increase capacity along that direction.

The three-car train sets give the flexibility of not having to decouple the six-car trains during off-peak hours to save power and also avoid long waiting times between six-car train sets during off-peak hours, and yet allow for on-demand increase of capacity.

There is still the option of building new stations and procuring more train cars to further increase capacity in the future.

Prudent: Indeed, the number of trips can be scaled up during peak hours if need be, and when passenger loads have increased to necessitate them. By that time, cost increases can be calibrated with passenger volume to ensure financial viability.

Right now, the country cannot afford a configuration to cater for needs 10 years or more in advance. The base-level infrastructure is being built. When the need comes, just upgrade.

Jing: Yes, let us have a win-win situation. At least some have the option of driving or take the LRT, while the rakyat in other states can only salivate on this.

As for the "sardine" problem, the LRT management should offer off-peak fares for those who are not rushing for work, just like they do in the UK, or else leave earlier or later.

OMG Okeylah: Why worry so much about the number of cars? If later we find three-car coaches are inadequate, we can then increase their frequency to cater for higher demand.

Right now, we should not spend beyond our means.

Hmmmmmmmm: When the government first mentioned that this project is overpriced, we assumed that the price could be cut drastically without affecting any aspect of the project.

If you have to cut services here and there to lower the price, then you have technically not done anything about the overpricing. You are merely postponing the payment.

If we can't afford it, please don't do it. If we want to do it, please do it once and do it well. We don't want trains that keep breaking down.

Anonymous_ab618355: At least Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng can use the rest of the saved money to invest in improving the transport infrastructure in other Malaysian towns and cities.

Remember, Malaysia is not only the Klang Valley. I am from Sabah and in my city, we only have smoky buses as public transport.

Stop complaining as now that you have LRT in most parts of your city. Think of your fellow Malaysians who have to brave the rain or sun, standing at the hut called the bus stand, and waiting for the smoke guzzler called the minibus.

Think about it - who is luckier, you or us here in Sabah?

MCHammer: Malaysia seems pretty directionless when it comes to public transport and it's direction.

Roads are crowded, and regardless of when a new road is opened, it is unable to relieve any congestion. Now why is that?

For instance, KL lacks a comprehensive public transport system, unreliable buses which frequently break down, KTM trains which are an utter nightmare, LRT and MRT trains which are regularly breaking down, and not to mention, not enough stations across Kuala Lumpur and Klang Valley.

As a result, Malaysians prefer to use their own transport, resulting in congestion and gridlocks. These delays are also costing the economy as on average, KL and Klang residents are expected to spend anywhere between 45 to 65 minutes for a 10km journey during rush hours.

I still feel that 22 trains are far too few a number in particular during rush hours, which can result in frequent breakdowns and delays.

Onlooker: I'm very disappointed that the two stations I would use most are on the “axed” list. Fewer, smaller train sets will definitely lead to overcrowding.

It's a long journey from Klang - it will take well over an hour even on the faster LRT to reach KL Sentral, and standing all the way, every time, will not go down well.

LeanBurn: Welcome to the world of urban transit and stop complaining of crowding.

Just compare us with Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong - if you don’t want the crowd, turn up early or wait until a less crowded coach arrives.

Anonymous: While I support cost-cutting, it must not be done at the expense of comfort and safety.

Malaysians are slowly but surely getting used to public transport. If you make it a lousy experience for them, it will lose traction.

Lim should provide data or information to convince netizens that there is no compromise on safety and comfort.


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