ID :
16628
Fri, 08/22/2008 - 15:48
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/16628
The shortlink copeid
ABDULLAH RIDES THE COMMUTER AND LRT TO GAUGE SERVICE QUALITY By By Voon Miaw Ping
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 22 (Bernama) - Setting aside protocol, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi took rides on the commuter and Light Rail Transit (LRT) rail services from surburban Serdang to the city centre Thursday to get a feel of the transportation problems faced by the public and came away less than satisfied.
Throughout the one-hour journey, during which he switched trains, the prime minister noted the congestion, especially during the peak period, and spoke tohis fellow passengers to get their feedback.
Speaking to Bernama after disembarking at the Masjid Jamek LRT station (in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, he said he was not satisfied with the rail servicesand wanted immediate improvements to be made.
He said the existing services were not systematic, there were not enoughcoaches and coverage was not comprehensive, leaving many areas not serviced.
"I just saw the plight of people using the trains to get to work every morning. They were jostling to get on board every time a train arrived. Thereappeared to be no system.
"I'm not happy with this because the people are not getting satisfactionfrom riding the trains. This we must fix," he said.
Upon arrival at the Masjid Jamek station at 9.15am, he chatted with members of the the public and bought several types of local cakes from thesellers there before leaving.
Abdullah said he would give attention to efforts to improve the quality ofboth rail services.
He said trains that were not punctual and people scrambling to get into thetrains caused problems to other passengers.
Immediate steps would be taken including improving the train schedules, having a more systematic system and giving attention to senior citizens andwomen with children.
"There were many more suggestions given me by the passengers for myattention. I will strive for improvements, I will propose changes," he said.
-- BERNAMA
Throughout the one-hour journey, during which he switched trains, the prime minister noted the congestion, especially during the peak period, and spoke tohis fellow passengers to get their feedback.
Speaking to Bernama after disembarking at the Masjid Jamek LRT station (in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, he said he was not satisfied with the rail servicesand wanted immediate improvements to be made.
He said the existing services were not systematic, there were not enoughcoaches and coverage was not comprehensive, leaving many areas not serviced.
"I just saw the plight of people using the trains to get to work every morning. They were jostling to get on board every time a train arrived. Thereappeared to be no system.
"I'm not happy with this because the people are not getting satisfactionfrom riding the trains. This we must fix," he said.
Upon arrival at the Masjid Jamek station at 9.15am, he chatted with members of the the public and bought several types of local cakes from thesellers there before leaving.
Abdullah said he would give attention to efforts to improve the quality ofboth rail services.
He said trains that were not punctual and people scrambling to get into thetrains caused problems to other passengers.
Immediate steps would be taken including improving the train schedules, having a more systematic system and giving attention to senior citizens andwomen with children.
"There were many more suggestions given me by the passengers for myattention. I will strive for improvements, I will propose changes," he said.
-- BERNAMA
