LETTER | Rapid KL’s recent announcement about the success of their exclusive bus lanes marks a significant milestone in public transport efficiency.

According to the news article “Kuala Lumpur Bus Lanes a Success, to be Expanded” (published on Tuesday, Oct 22, 2024), the introduction of these dedicated lanes has improved ridership by 12-50 percent and reduced travel time by 10 percent.

This success presents a compelling case for Petaling Jaya to implement a similar system, especially given the need to improve connectivity to key transport hubs faster and more efficiently.

Petaling Jaya, like Kuala Lumpur, is highly developed and congested, making streamlined public transport essential for easing traffic and improving commute times.

However, to fully unlock the potential of these bus lanes, it’s critical to synchronise efforts between Rapid KL and Petaling Jaya, particularly in addressing the first-mile and last-mile connectivity gaps.

Seamless integration of services between Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya would motivate more people to opt for public transport if their total travel time - from their points of origin to their final destinations - could be significantly reduced.

By focusing on reducing travel time, improving route efficiency, and enhancing convenience, Petaling Jaya can leverage the success of Kuala Lumpur’s bus lanes to create a more comprehensive and user-friendly public transportation network that serves both cities more effectively.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.