Klang MP comments on Klang Sentral (again)

In response to the issues related to Klang Sentral, please note this Media Statement from Klang MP Charles Santiago, issued 28 January 2010.

Kenyataan Media Ahli Parlimen Klang Charles Santiago di Klang pada 28hb Jan 2010

Press Member of Parliament for Klang Charles Santiago in Klang on 28th January 2010Penubuhan Jawatankuasa Bebas Untuk Mengkaji Stesen Bas Lama Klang, Klang Sentral dan Pengangkutan Awam di Persekitaran Klang.

To study the establishment of the Independent Committee of Old Klang Bus Station, Klang Sentral and Public Transport in the  Klang area.Kontroversi perpindahan stesen bas ke Klang Sentral telah mengakibatkan bantahan berterusan daripada pengguna bas, peniaga-peniaga dan wakil rakyat. Isu ini tidak dapat diselesaikan dengan menutup stesen bas lama dan memaksa semua operator bas berpindah ke Klang Sentral. Operasi selama satu tahun di Klang Sentral menunjukkan stesen bas baru ini tidak ada pengguna bas dan perniagaan yang mencukupi maka mereka terpaksa balik ke stesen bas lama.

The controversial transfer to Klang Sentral bus station has resulted in continued protest from bus users, traders and representatives of the people. This issue cannot be solved by closing the old bus station and force all bus operators moved to Klang Sentral.  One year of operations at Klang Sentral bus station has shown no increase in bus users and business as compared to the old bus station.

Saya mencadangkan Menteri Besar Selangor Tan Sri Khalid Abdul Ibrahim menubuhkan satu jawatankuasa bebas (Independent committee) untuk mengkaji kesesuaian dan keperluan kedua-dua stesen bas ini sebagai bahagian penting sistem pengangkutan awam di kawasan Klang.

I propose that the Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim set up an (Independent Committee) to study the feasibility and requirements of both the bus station as part of this important public transport system in Klang.

Ahli-ahli jawatankuasa harus terdiri daripada Pertubuhan bukan kerajaan (NGO) berhubung dengan pengangkutan awam misalnya TRANSIT dan perancang bandar berprofesional. Ahli-ahli politik, wakil rakyat dan pegawai MPK tidak patut menyertai jawatankuasa ini supaya kajian yang dihasilkan adalah objektif, profesional dan memenuhi keperluan pengguna bas.

Members of the committee should consist of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in connection with public transportation such as TRANSIT and professional urban planners. Politicians, elected representatives and officials of MPK should not participate in this committee so that the study produced is objective, professional and meet the needs of bus users.Cadangan penutupan stesen bas lama akan mendatangkan kesan negatif besar kepada sistem pengangkutan awam di kawasan Klang, ia menghasilkan impak kepada golongan berpendapatan rendah yang amat bergantung kepada pengangkutan awam.

The closure of the old bus station will bring negative effects to a large public transportation system in Klang, which will have an impact on the lower-income group which is highly dependent on public transport.

Kerajaan Pakatan Rakyat Selangor harus memandang perkara ini secara serius dan memegang teguh kepada prinsip-prinsip demokrasi and ketuanan rakyat, serta berprofesional dalam perancangan pengangkutan awam tempatan.

The Pakatan Rakyat government in Selangor  should look at this matter very seriously and hold fast to the principles of democracy and supremacy of the people, and profesionalism in planning local public transport.

Charles Santiago
Ahli Parlimen Klang
Member of Parliament for Klang

TRANSIT Says:

The Klang Sentral issue has continued for far too long. On the day that the Prime Minister launches the roadmap for the Government Transformation Programme, including the National Key Result Area of Urban Public Transport, it is truly sad that the Klang Sentral issue still sticks out like a sore thumb.

TRANSIT knows of many people who believe that public transport would be better if it were handled by the local government. But the example of Klang Sentral (and to a lesser extent, Ipoh Sentral, Kuching Sentral and Taiping Sentral) shows us that the local government really does not know enough about public transport.

Moving a public transport terminal out of an urban area to a suburban one is not a good idea in any case. What makes it worse is if those responsible are arrogant and do not bother to think that the service exists where it exists for a reason.

In other words, even if MPK builds Klang Sentral and forces all buses and taxies to use it (which is what they are trying to do) there is no guarantee that it will be successful.

The ongoing issues at Klang Sentral are proof enough that public transport planning needs to be done by all stakeholders, together!

TRANSIT suggests that the Urban Public Transport Panel be given an opportunity to look at Klang Sentral and decide on a solution that would work.

And who knows, they might want to adapt TRANSIT’s solution for the Klang area, using a mixture of Bus Expressway Transit on 3 highways to connect Klang to Kuala Lumpur, with a Bus Rapid Transit system meeting Klang’s needs.