By Danial Dzulkifly
PETALING JAYA, May 20 — The government must rethink its infrastructure model to ensure effective last-mile connectivity, including the establishment of a dedicated public transport fund at the local council level.
Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung said this is necessary because, all too often, infrastructure projects are built without clear links to public transport services, leading to underused or “ghost” facilities.
“Right now, if a developer builds something, they might have to provide a bus stop, but they’re not responsible for ensuring buses actually run.
“That’s why we often see beautifully designed bus stops with no buses,” he said during a site visit to the completed pedestrian walkway near the Phileo Damansara MRT station here today.
“We need to establish a dedicated public transport fund at the local council level, where all contributions collected can be used to fund bus operations in PJ and other areas.”
He said Malaysia must also consider smaller but essential features such as shaded paths, bike racks and facilities for cyclists like showers, to create a more seamless and comfortable travel experience.
Phileo MRT walkway finally completed
Lee also announced that the long-delayed pedestrian walkway connecting the Phileo Damansara MRT station has been completed, with obstructive lamp posts removed and surrounding areas cleared.
“Previously, many people mocked the project because the walkway had lamp posts right in the middle.
“However, it wasn’t an oversight. We were in the process of relocating them. Now, everything is safe and usable,” he said.
The RM200,000 pedestrian walkway project, co-funded by the Petaling Jaya City Council and Lee’s parliamentary office in collaboration with Prasarana, began in July 2024 but faced delays due to contractor issues and utility relocation, with completion achieved by the end of April.
[caption id="attachment_401487" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
The newly-built pedestrian walkway connecting to the Phileo Damansara MRT station. — Picture via X/LEE CHEAN CHUNG[/caption]
“This is part of our Petaling Jaya Sustainable Roadmap (PJSR), focusing on improving last-mile connectivity,” Lee said.
Lee stressed that last-mile issues often stemmed from poor coordination among agencies, developers and local councils.
He also called for a three- to five-year inter-agency plan involving Prasarana, the Transport Ministry, and local authorities to address the issue of last-mile connectivity.
“Often we underestimate the small things. Connectivity is not just about trains, it’s about making sure people can reach the station comfortably and safely,” he said.
