The Association for the Improvement of Mass Transit - Klang Valley (Transit) takes note that the Selangor government will be visiting the 12 local councils to discuss local issues.

Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) - April 26

Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) - May 3

Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) - May 10

Klang Municipal Council (MPK) - May 17

Sabak Bernam District Council (MDSB) - May 24

Kuala Langat District Council (MDKL) - May 31

Kuala Selangor District Council (MDKS) - June 6

Hulu Selangor District Council (MDHS) - June 14

Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) - June 21

Sepang District Council (MPSp) - June 28

Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) - July 5

Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) - July 12

While public transport is generally in the hands of the federal government, the state government and local councils also have a role to play. They are responsible for providing infrastructure (such as bus hubs, bus lanes and bus ways), and encouraging development that is transit-oriented (using transit-planning zones and pedestrian-scale developments).

Hence, we ask that Selangor residents to please make time to attend these meetings and speak to your local and state government representatives about local issues including public transport issues.

Transit has drawn up a few talking points that the residents of Selangor can use to discuss local public transport issues at these meetings. Please forward these talking points to other people so that they may also be able to raise awareness about the need for improvement and the benefits of improved public transport for our communities and our quality of life.

Transit believes in the following:

Public transport is not a service for the elderly and poor.

Community shuttle buses are a service for people who would like an alternative from the private car/motorcycle/taxi - not a service for people with ‘no choice'.

A network of reliable, frequent community shuttle buses would give people an alternative to using their cars or motorcycles, meaning that there would be less traffic congestion on our roads.

On average, one more 12m long bus on the road equals 53 fewer cars or motorcycles on the road. Remember this equation, 1 = 53

The state government has a role to play

The state government should become an advocate for better public transport in Selangor and the Klang Valley. The state government should create a state Public Transport Council to focus on improvements to public transport in Selangor.

The whole state of Selangor should have a complete network of convenient local community shuttle buses. By providing a free local community shuttle service, the state government will not be competing with bus operators and does not have to seek permits from the Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board.

There should be coordination with the state government so that there is proper funding and service integration between these local public transport networks and the LRT and KTM and stage bus services.

The local councils also have a role to play. It is necessary for each local government to have a department or office that focuses on the development of urban public transit or public transport. While some local councils have these departments already (MPAJ, for example) other councils do not.

Each local council should appoint a Public Transport Committee before they make attempts at implementing public transport service. This committee should include members of the local council, the bus operators, and the residents associations.

A Community Shuttle Bus service requires lots of buses - because very slow frequencies (more than one hour) between buses is simply unacceptable and will not encourage people to use public transport.

These buses should be properly-designed accessible buses. Maps of local Community Shuttle Bus service should be posted prominently at bus stops, in the council buildings, community halls, community newspapers, online etc.

The members of Transit would be happy to provide feedback on local public transport issues to the state government and the local councils. Transit can be reached at klangvalley.Transit@gmail.com or at the numbers 012-248 - 3330 /019 280 0608

On a related matter, the members of Transit were happy to note that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak visited the Masjid Jamek/Masjid India area of Kuala Lumpur recently to carry out another of his ‘turun padang' weekends.

His visit to the area was notable for his use of the LRT. And while it is nice to see the prime minister of Malaysia taking a look at what public transport is like, it would be better if Najib took a look at the congestion and problems related to the city's bus service.

If only he walked a little further to Lebuh Ampang, where he could see the bus congestion there, or to Jalan Tun HS Lee where the Metrobuses are treating the area like their very own parking garage.

Perhaps he could have walked a little further to the Pasar Seni LRT station, which is also the site of Pasarama Kota, the ‘Klang Bus Stand' and the unofficial ‘Seremban bus stand'.

If Najib had taken a look at these areas, then perhaps he would have a better understanding what is wrong with public transport.

One wonders what Najib was thinking when he walked by the Masjid Jamek Plaza, a costly structure that took too long to built and has done little to improve the connections between the two LRT lines.

Perhaps he wondered why the LRT had no lift, or why he would have to go all the way down to Jalan Tun Perak and cross that very busy road if he wanted to access the other platform. Perhaps he was a little unhappy because he had to stand on a Saturday. Or perhaps he was happy to see people using public transport.

It is likely that we will never know what Najib was thinking. We can only hope that the visit gives him a better understanding of public transport - and that he takes a ‘real' visit to see what the bus facilities are like in this country.

KL Sentral, Puduraya, Pasarama Kota would all be great places to start and the members of Transit would be happy to be there and point out these issues to him.

The writer represents Transit .