PETALING JAYA: With the surging cost of living in the Klang Valley, interest groups say improving the public transport system is important to help people cope with their transport expenses.
They said that expanding affordable housing near transit hubs, improving service reliability, and addressing last-mile challenges would be crucial in reducing urban poverty.
“The lack of integrated public transport forces reliance on personal vehicles, raising commuting costs significantly,” said Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (Fomca) vice-president Datuk Indrani Thuraisingham.
The Klang Valley, which is Malaysia’s economic and administrative hub, attracts businesses, industries, and work opportunities, she said.
“This creates a demand for housing, goods, and services, which inflates prices,” she said in an interview yesterday.
Despite expansions in the MRT, LRT, and BRT, Indrani said poor last-mile connectivity had led to a reliance on costly transport alternatives.
“Fomca recommends integrated transit solutions with seamless connections between modes like buses, trains, and last-mile options like e-scooters, bicycles, and shuttle services.
“Introduce affordable fare options and develop a centralised app for real-time transit information to boost public transport use,” she said.
To address rising costs in the Klang Valley, Indrani suggested expanding affordable housing by using underutilised public land, supporting rent-to-own schemes, and implementing rent control.
She called for transit-oriented development (TOD) to reduce car reliance and inmpovements in public transport, including enhanced last-mile connectivity and subsidised commuter passes.
Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology’s Centre for Business and Policy Research chairman Dr Foo Lee Peng agreed that more should be done to reduce urban poverty amid rising living costs in the Klang Valley.
“Social programmes need wider reach, and public transport enhancements – such as MRT and LRT extensions – must address last-mile connectivity to improve accessibility for the urban poor.
“Also, targeted skills training in high-demand sectors is essential for economic empowerment.
“Despite promising initiatives, delays and infrastructure gaps hinder their impact, necessitating stronger coordination and long-term planning for affordable housing and TOD,” she said.
Foo said the higher living costs in the Klang Valley were due to limited land which increases property prices, while poor public transport necessitates costly car ownership.
“To mitigate expenses, individuals can enhance financial literacy using tools like the Belanjawanku guide, adopt cost-saving practices like carpooling, and explore affordable housing options.”At the government level, Foo said the authorities can address these issues by expanding transparent public housing, improving transport infrastructure with better last-mile connectivity, and providing targeted subsidies for essentials.
“Coupled with subsidies, it can make public transport a viable and cost-effective alternative to car ownership,” she added.
Foo noted that efforts to combat urban poverty in the Klang Valley have shown progress, but said they need further improvement.
“While MRT and LRT expansions have improved public transport, gaps in last-mile connectivity, such as linking train stations to residential areas, continue to limit accessibility for the urban poor.
“Despite positive initiatives under the National Transport Policy, delays and inadequate infrastructure reduce their impact.
“Stronger collaboration among governments, businesses, and communities, along with long-term planning for affordable housing and TOD, is crucial for sustainable improvement,” she said.
