DC Says: What about public transport?

The last time I was on any public transport was when I was in college, I think the TVs back then were in black and white. As a student, it was pretty convenient. Walked a bit, hop onto a bus, maybe get a seat, maybe not, got off the bus, and walked a bit more.

It should be noted that it was a safer place back then, without the bodies-cut-up-into-small-pieces-in-a-suitcase scenarios.

But today, if you were to ask me to take public transport… sure, if I am not in a perpetual rush, where every minute means something. In short, it is impossible. Because there is no way I am going to make any kind of meetings with the current plan of public transportation. Reliability is a key issue here.

Now, far be it from me to “complain” about good ol’ Malaysia, the mother land. But really… how many good ideas that made it through, into fruition, to be totally thrashed due to lack of maintenance and accountability?

The thing is; we are as good as any other countries where ideas are concerned. It is the follow-through that we suck… big time.

Compare the Japanese transport system to ours. They have an incredibly organized system, that (and here is the key) the people appreciate and take pride in. Really. Go to Japan. Heck, go to Singapore.

They work like clockwork, to the minute. And 10-, 20-year old trains are in pristine condition. Because everyone plays a part in making it that way, not just the folks who come on board at every stop to clear any rubbish that may be left behind.

With a system like this, it is a pleasure to use the public transportation.

But most of us have to rely on over-priced cars because the alternative… is really not. The jams are getting to a point of ridiculousness… and I am surprised that there are so little heart attacks behind the wheel.

At the end of the day, it is really up to the people. Yes, us.

We determine the condition of the country… I mean the public transportation. And I guess, those of us who do take this mode of transport on a daily basis, will be crucial to making a change. Let’s start with respecting all our elders, regardless of race or creed. Offer them your seat. Let’s start with that.