The recent plan to develop an MRT system to compliment the existing LRT system had run into serious criticism due to its high cost (not to mention raising cost due to inflation) and it’s route/station locations that are not agreeable to some parties. While building underground lines are only going to cost more, why not consider another solution. Trams.

Public Transportation

The issue of public transportation always has been a difficult issue in Malaysia. With the increasing volume of cars pouring onto the roads, government policy of investing more on highways and roads instead of public transport has not really help much. Some leaders have come down to the ground to test the public transportation system but failed to realize that the conditions were set up perfectly for their convenience as the minister/prime minister or whatnot. It does not reflect the true situation.

There are two types of mass public transportation currently running in Malaysia ;

• Bus Services – Cheap and reaches into areas that LRTs can’t. But it’s hopelessly unpredictable in terms of punctuality and it is still subject to traffic jams.
• LRTs – Predictable, usually on time and quickest way to get around, provided the LRT passes by the places you want to go. But with the different capacities for the STAR LRT and PUTRA LRT, you might find yourself in a tight squeeze in the morning commute.

Weighing the pros and cons of both modes of transportations, there is one mode of mass public transport that is overlooked by the authorities and. Trams.

Does it work?

I have stayed in Mannheim, Germany where the tram, similar to the on in the picture above, is the main mode of transportation within the urban area and connects to the neighbouring city across the Rhine river, Ludwigshafen. It works like a charm. So well that having a car is a major disadvantage if you are traveling in the city.

The best thing about the tram is it is as accessible as a bus, meaning the tram stops are just like bus stops and reliable as a rail system (it is a rail system). No tall stations or platforms need to be built to accommodate the tram, just that the road needs to be fitted with rails and overhead power cables. Probably sacrificing one lane of the road would be sufficient. If your thinking “that will cause a bigger traffic jam”, remember if there is a tram system, people don’t need to drive if they don’t want to, clearing up the roads.

I can imagine trams in service around the KLCC / Bukit Bintang area, connecting to Puduraya, Central Market and KL tower, reducing the need to drive a car in those jam prone areas. the TTDI / One Utama area and areas along the LDP would also benefit from a good tram system that connects to the LRT stations.

Safety

Some of you maybe sceptical about the safety of the trams. believe me its as safe, if not even safer than buses. Trams have drivers and it sits lower than a bus so if children pass across the tracks, the driver can spot them easier. So, as long as some clown doesn’t try to steal the cables, the tram system should be fine.

Cost

The planned MRT system is expected to have a price tag of 50 billion and will surely escalade to an additional few more billions due to inflation. Edinburgh is building a new trams system for their city for and will cost 600 million pound sterling (about 3 billion Ringgit) when it’s completed in 2014 – Wikipedia. This means you can build more than 15 tram systems with the same budget. Plus labour is cheaper here, so the cost should be lower.

Bottomline

A study need to be done to see the viability of implementing a tram system for the KL and PJ area instead of a new MRT system which cost 15 times more. I’m sure if it is proven to be a better solution, people will be more than willing to use public transportation rather than waking up early, only to be stuck in a massive jam on the way to work.

However, more important is the government to have the will to draw a national policy that is more public transportation oriented instead of private vehicle oriented, because even now we can see that too many personal vehicles on the road does not benefit anyone.

iMyn