Vehicles using the contraflow lane, which was implemented yesterday along Jalan Ampang. — Photos: LOW BOON TAT/The Star
Smooth ride for bus passengers while motorists end up getting the short end of the stick
THE contraflow system and dedicated bus lane implemented along Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, has benefitted bus passengers more than motorists travelling to and from work during peak hours.
Bus passengers said they reached their destinations 10 to 20 minutes earlier with the new dedicated bus lane.
Upon alighting a Rapid KL bus, Aminah Mamil gave a thumbs-up to a Rapid Bus officer, who was on duty at the bus stop opposite AmpWalk observing the bus lane.
“I used to wait for the bus from 30 to 40 minutes at Ampang LRT station to get to Jalan Ampang, but today it only took me eight minutes to reach my destination,” said Aminah.
“There was no traffic and buses were already waiting for passengers at the LRT station,” said the 53-year-old administration executive.
Another passenger, Shazuuani Mamat, 25, said the traffic in the morning was not as congested as the usual peak hour traffic.
Vehicles turning into Jalan Ampang have to use the bus lane momentarily before switching to the contraflow lanes.
“Usually, I would reach my work place at 8am, but I got there 10 minutes early today.
“I take the bus every day, so I was surprised by the smooth traffic,” said the medical assistant.
The contraflow and dedicated bus lane is one of three traffic arrangements being implemented following instructions from Transport Minister Anthony Loke to ease peak hour congestion at busy stretches in the federal capital.
Apart from Jalan Ampang, the other two contraflow lanes are from Sungai Besi toll plaza to Besraya Interchange, and from Jalan Maharajalela to Taman Connaught from 6am to 9am and 5pm to 7pm.
At Jalan Ampang, the right lane to Ampang was turned into a contraflow lane while the left- most lane heading towards Kuala Lumpur was changed to a dedicated bus lane.
Rosli says motorists are allowed to use the dedicated bus lanes only when entering premises nearby.
Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd operation and enforcement assistant M. Rosli Mohd Ali, who was monitoring the traffic at one of the bus stops, said other vehicles were not supposed to use the bus lanes.
“They can only switch into the bus lane if they want to enter an establishment located nearby.
“This is still a test period and we are gathering information and feedback on how to improve the bus lane,” he added.
Rosli said the trial run was important as there might be plans to colour the road markings and make it a permanent bus lane like what had been done in the city centre.
Currently, there are two bus routes servicing Jalan Ampang – Bus 300 from Pandan Indah to Lebuh Ampang and Bus 303 from Taman Mulia Jaya to Lebuh Ampang. There is a five-minute interval for each bus.
At the site, signs and digital boards were in place to alert motorists of the traffic changes.
Rapid Bus personnel were also seen stationed at each bus stop along the road.
Aminah giving a thumbs up for her easy bus journey because of the dedicated bus lane along Jalan Ampang.
However, some vehicles took advantage of the empty bus lane to use it to get ahead in traffic.
Errol Tauro, 30, suggested that the frequency of the buses could be improved.
“Sometimes, two buses come at once and if I miss them, I have to wait for a longer period,” he said.
Although the dedicated bus lane has cut travel time for its passengers, some motorists find that it had little effect on them.
Poovenraj Kanagaraj, 29, said it was confusing in the beginning but could ease traffic when motorists get used to the contraflow system.
“Most of my colleagues were left confused in the morning by the traffic changes and this also led to high traffic volume from 8am.
“Some of us now have a longer route to make a U-turn to our work place.
“We support the contraflow but we hope that there is a way to facilitate those working and seeking healthcare services in our hospital,” said the marketing and communication senior executive who works at a hospital located along Jalan Ampang.
Another motorist, KS Chong, 33, said the traffic for motorists had not changed much.
“We still get two lanes despite the contraflow and the upside is that we now do not need to share the lanes with buses,” he added.
