Car-less

It happened this morning after a typical morning drive. My car was crippled. Which no fault should be blame on anyone. Nevertheless, my family was now left one car-less. My family now need to work around with only one car, to run all the errands that we usually do with two.

It occurs to me, how we a typical Malaysian family, depend so heavily in our own vehicle. Without owning yourself a vehicle, we would be would stripped of our mode of transportation. We simply could not get anywhere efficiently.

Mind I said, efficiently. We could still get to the place we wanted to go, but it would just take too much time and too much effort to do it. In Malaysia, Malaysian just would not opt for taking long term commitment into taking public transport unless if they really need to.


The truth was, we buy a car when we are financially fit to. Want to know how many car a family owns? Just ask how many of them owned a valid driving license. We acquire them because we need it, we were left choice-less. You just could not go anywhere without one. The public mode of transportation was not reliable (where less comfort and not punctual was a norm).

Because of that, our roads are still jammed. We still are constantly being fearful of not getting into places on time. The rate of new roads or upgraded roads being lay out was too slow compared to the rate of new vehicles coming out. The number of vehicles on Malaysia's roads skyrocketed to a staggering 21.25 million* at year 2011! A 11.74% increase since year 2009*.

Horns had been locked long between the service provider and the consumer. The provider blamed the consumer for not using the transportation enough to deem it worthy to be improved. While the consumer blame the provider that they do not upgrade their services to better serve the consumer which resulted into opting for self owned transportation.

While nobody going anywhere.

20 years ago, we look in awe of the transportation system of developed country, thinking that we can do the same. Sad to say, we still look in awe now. Notably our southern neighbor, Singapore. The city state had one of the world best public transportation system. With the ability of its system to link most of its 710 km square sovereign, effectively and efficiently. It was so reliable that seeing the transportation system within the city of Kuala Lumpur, taking in 243 km square to play with, child's play.

Transportation in Malaysia was too big of a cake to be relied on the shoulders of providers and the consumers to carry. It was, to be frank, the essence of development. New legislation and initiative from the government need to be draw up quickly. Imagine the billions spent in building tolled highways or upgrading existing roads, were put in the effort to make public transportation workable for all.

Is time to revamp the whole transportation system for a better Malaysia. I believe we could do it, once we put aside personal gain, and look to the bigger picture and move forward together.

Well, now all was said, is time to let the insurance premium we paid every year to work it wonder. Do wish me and my family a better time ahead, with one car-less.

Stay tuned.

Live Well People,
Shian

* source from http://www.motortrader.com.my/Cars/NewsHeader/News-in-2011/Local-News/21-25-million-vehicles-on-Malaysian-roads.aspx