25/02/2026

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Route rationalisation aims to boost efficiency: Rapid Bus

‘Temporary road fixes may become long-term hazards’ PETALING JAYA: Quick-fix street redesigns promise safer neighbourhoods, yet Malaysia’s heavy traffic and harsh climate could turn temporary measures into long-term hazards. Universiti Teknologi Mara Civil Engineering Faculty senior lecturer Dr Nor Azmi Bakhary said materials such as flexible bollards and modular kerbs are suitable for short-term pilot projects but may not withstand Malaysia’s environmental and traffic conditions over time. “Malaysia experiences heavy rainfall, high ultraviolet exposure and frequent heavy vehicle loads. Under such conditions, the durability of interim materials may be limited, making them unsuitable as permanent structural solutions.” His remarks come amid growing interest in “interim design”, an approach that uses low-cost, semi-permanent materials to quickly test changes to street layouts before permanent works are carried out. This allows local authorities to refine designs based on public feedback. However, Nor Azmi emphasised that interim measures require proper regulatory oversight. “Temporary street measures can sometimes fall into regulatory grey areas. Although they may be approved as pilot initiatives, they are not always clearly addressed within existing Public Works Department road design standards. “A thorough technical review and risk assessment are essential to ensure safety and legal compliance.” He also warned that while interim installations may appear cheaper upfront, maintenance costs can accumulate. “These materials are more prone to damage and displacement. Frequent repairs and replacements may ultimately reduce any initial cost savings,” he explained. Beyond durability and cost, Nor Azmi highlighted operational concerns. Lane narrowing, kerb extensions and modular dividers, if not carefully designed, could obstruct surface drainage during heavy rainfall. They may also affect emergency vehicle access and utility maintenance if clearances are not properly planned. “If a project is intended purely as a trial, interim solutions are practical and valuable. However, if long-term implementation is already certain, it may be more cost-effective to construct permanent infrastructure from the outset when life-cycle costs are considered.” He said as local authorities continue exploring flexible approaches to overcome funding constraints, lengthy approval processes and public resistance, flexibility must not come at the expense of engineering standards and long-term resilience. – BY KIRTINEE RAMESH Lumpur last year when pedestrian injuries at busy intersections numbered in the hundreds while cyclists faced countless near-misses daily. “Simple changes could prevent many of these incidents,” he said. He recommended collecting detailed data to see if street changes actually work. This includes the average speed of vehicles, the average speed of the faster drivers, types of vehicles on the road, turning movements, traffic queues, travel times, pedestrian and cyclist numbers and behaviour, delays, near misses and crashes, and even parking turnover when relevant. “Surveys on perceived safety and business impacts, as well as video data, are also desirable. Automated collection of traffic speed and volume, accompanied by pedestrian and survey data, should serve as a minimum standard.” Law said as Kuala Lumpur continues experimenting with tactical urbanism and traffic-calming strategies, careful planning, localised adaptation and robust data collection are essential.

o A‘ djustments could reduce waiting times and improve service where demand is highest’

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd has recently defended its ongoing bus route rationalisation, insisting that the exercise is designed to make public transport more efficient and reliable while minimising disruption for most commuters. In a statement to theSun , it said the 29 affected routes were identified as having very low usage, averaging just seven passengers per hour per bus, adding that overall, only 7% of Rapid KL’s 320 routes will be affected. “The adjustments target low-ridership routes to ensure buses are deployed where they are needed most. By redeploying buses from underused routes to busy corridors, we could reduce waiting times and improve service where demand is highest, such as Ampang, Jalan Pahang and Jalan Cheras.” On Feb 6, Rapid Bus, a subsidiary of Prasarana, announced that 10 more routes would be restructured from Feb 14 as part of the second phase of the rationalisation exercise, bringing the total restructured routes to 29, following adjustments to 19 routes last month. The move has sparked complaints on social media, as previously reported by theSun , with some commuters claiming that the changes contributed to traffic congestion ahead of the Chinese New Year holiday. Others said feeder buses and alternative services were slow or inconvenient. Rapid Bus said the rationalisation is intended to improve first and last-mile connectivity, making it easier to reach LRT, MRT and GoKL services. Additional virtual stops have been introduced to reduce walking distances and waiting times, creating a smoother and more convenient travel experience. PETALING JAYA: Traffic jams are a daily nightmare but experts say small street redesigns could make streets safer for walkers and cyclists, if done right. Universiti Putra Malaysia Road Safety Research Centre head Assoc Prof Dr Law Teik Hua said traffic-calming measures such as lane narrowing, visual barriers, chicanes and refuge islands are effective but only when thoughtfully planned and integrated with broader strategies. “Physical and visual lane narrowing, chicanes and refuge islands can lower speeds, especially when combined with markings, parking and horizontal deflection. “Controlled before-and-after studies, as well as case studies from Malaysia and other Asian cities, support this, although the degree of reduction varies with street type, pre-treatment speeds and enforcement.” He warned that not all interventions guarantee positive results. Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Passengers are reminded that alternatives, including Rapid KL On-Demand, LRT/MRT feeder buses, GoKL and existing bus routes, remain available. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

network connectivity, enforcement against encroachment and good last-mile public transport access are key to success. “Temporary measures are often made permanent once they demonstrate benefits, gradually unlocking latent demand and alleviating safety concerns. It is a process of iteration rather than sudden transformation.” Local driving behaviour also affects outcomes. “Compared with Western cities where many models originate, Malaysian drivers show different lane discipline, gap acceptance, motorcycle mixing and rule compliance. “This means some interventions may need modifications, such as clearer visual cues, better separation of motorcycles and stronger enforcement, to achieve similar safety and speed outcomes. “Fortunately, treatments such as lane narrowing, refuge islands and raised crossings work largely by influencing perception and vehicle dynamics, so speeds are reduced automatically regardless of enforcement levels.” Human impact is real, as seen in Kuala Research Centre head Assoc Prof Dr Law Teik Hua said traffic is affected by school schedules, weather, festive seasons, road works and the growing number of vehicles on the road, cautioning that congestion cannot yet be linked solely to bus route changes. Key routes, including 506 (Putrajaya Sentral–Bandar Utama) as well as 708 (Klang–Sunway Pyramid), which connect major residential and employment hubs, may see accessibility affected. To reduce disruption, he recommended operational reliability and communication be prioritised. “In the short term, monitoring feeder services in real time allows timely adjustments and helps to prevent overcrowding. “In the medium term, integration must go beyond route changes, improving transfer infrastructure and synchronisation between services. “If the restructured network is faster and more reliable, fewer people would switch to private vehicles. If mismanaged, it risks deepening car dependence in the Klang Valley.”

“Interim street redesign could worsen congestion in high-density areas such as Kuala Lumpur. If lane reductions or curb extensions remove space at bottlenecks, travel times could rise, particularly during peak hours. “Careful planning, such as converting a low-volume curb lane to a separated bike lane, could slightly affect car travel times while delivering significant safety and active transport benefits.” He stressed the need to assess congestion impacts through before-and-after analysis, proper location selection, and adjustments to signal timings and turning movements. “The impact may not be significant if these factors are considered.” Tactical urbanism, meaning temporary, low-cost interventions to test urban design ideas, could also shape mobility behaviour. “In car-dependent cities, tactical urbanism reliably changes perceptions, secures political support, and could increase walking and cycling in the short term.” Law added that safe crossings, The company highlighted route T563 (Serdang Raya Utara MRT Station–Technology Park Malaysia and Bukit Jalil), noting that after introducing an on-demand service, daily ridership rose 104%, demonstrating strong passenger preference for flexible, responsive options. Passengers are reminded that alternatives, including Rapid KL On-Demand, LRT/MRT feeder buses, GoKL and existing bus routes, remain available. The rationalisation is based on the Demand-Led Bus Network Study conducted in mid-2024, which analysed passenger data, performance records and travel patterns to identify where buses are most needed. Rapid Bus said the phased, data-driven process is designed to improve efficiency as well as service quality while keeping disruption minimal. Previously, theSun reported that while bus restructuring may influence commuter behaviour, traffic congestion is driven by multiple factors. Universiti Putra Malaysia’s Road Safety

Small street redesigns could improve safety, says expert