PETALING JAYA (May 26, 2008): The Cabinet Committee on Public Transport will meet for the first time on Wedneday (May 28) with a public transport policy on the agenda.

Transport Minister Datuk Ong Tee Keat said today the ministry is committed to playing a key role in improving public transport but stressed that it was important for the people to know there are various bodies governing public transport.

"It involves quite a number of ministries. For example, public transport licensing comes under the Entrepreneurial Development Ministry, as well as the revocation of licences. The Road Transport Department comes under my ministry but that covers only the enforcement aspect," he said.

Ong said a concerted effort was needed to improve the existing system, which he described as a "fragmented jurisdiction".

"We must make sure that public transport is as smooth as possible. The effectiveness of public transport is a priority to the Ministry," he said.

Ong, speaking in KL Sentral after a visit to the RapidKL depot and control centre, called for the introduction of a comprehensive system covering all forms of public transport in the Klang Vallley.

"It is imperative for us to get our sights on a better coordination system between RapidKL and other forms of public transport, like the KTM Komuter system and taxis," he said.

Ong said public transport in the federal capital has to keep up with the times to serve Kuala Lumpur residents adequately, as the population is increasing and new housing estates are mushrooming.

Ong commended RapidKL for its expansion since it first opened in 2005.

"Rapid KL has increased their buses in service by 30%, and it now covers 980 housing estates compared with 638 housing estates when it first started in 2005," he said.

He wanted the welfare of bus drivers and public transport staff to be a priority for the bus companies.

"The salary scale of bus drivers, their welfare have to be looked into. Their work hours cannot be too long, because that will affect road safety," said Ong.

He reminded that the Transport Ministry is not the only player in regulating public transport.