According to the World Bank’s 2015 Malaysia’s Economic Monitor report:
- Jams in Greater Kuala Lumpur may be getting bigger;
- Commuters wasted between 270 and 500 million man-hours in the Greater KL jams last year.
- Cars used a possible 1.2 billion litres of fuel idling in traffic;
- Lost hours and fuel for each person in Greater KL came to at least RM3,100 each year, more than the monthly local average salary (RM2,795); and
- Total cost of traffic in Greater KL is estimated at 1.1% to 2.2% of GDP in 2014.
“This is a tangible economic cost, in the sense that this is equivalent to money that could otherwise be in the pockets of the people of Kuala Lumpur,” - Luis C. Blancas, World Bank senior transport specialist.
World Bank data now suggest they may have to spend a longer time on the road.
Transport costs here are also high, accounting for nearly 10% of all monthly household expenses. Much of this can be saved if people took public transport. Really? Lets see.
I use this journey as an example.
Travelling via LRT from Bukit Jalil to Hang Tuah station in the city used to cost RM1.90 before but now..... (sourced from: http://www.myrapid.com.my/jp/index.php)
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| One way LRT fare |
Wow that is RM1.30 (cashless, ie via rapidcard or T&Go card) more or a whopping 68% increase!
If two friends were to traveled to say Bukit Bintang n back, that is going to cost them RM12.80 for the total fare using the LRT.
Say they drive there, spend few hours and back. The return estimated distance is 29km.
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| One way driving distance |
How much it gonna cost them for that distance? If they use a common car which has an average fuel consumption of 8litre/100km, That is 2.32 litres and if petrol cost RM1.90/litre, the fuel cost is RM4.41 only.
Yeah, the are other cost like car cost, route and toll charges, parking fee, travelling time, etc but those are variables which depends on individual preference.
I bet most of us did not realised that current LRT fares are now unique (different price) from a station to station, not like before which adopt sector concept where a same fare for few station within specified sector of stations.
It means that before, RM1.90 was the fare to disembark at any stations from Hang Tuah up to PWTC, not any more.
The flaw in the new LRT fare? Source.
RM: 3.20 - 3.30 - 3.40
To Station: Bandaraya-Sultan Ismail-PWTC
RM: 3.10 - 3.20 -3.30
What is the rationale here? What comes to mind is, profit maximisation or cross subsidy?
So there you have it. Decide for yourself if the statement "people save if they took public transport" applies now days. It was before, for me.