suggest@rapidkl

Today, there's a technical problem with Putra LRT. From end-to-end, which is from Kelana Jaya to Terminal Putra, passengers had to transit three times. Once at Pasar Seni station, second at Kampung Baru station & finally at Damai station. Throughout the journey only one track was used.

So, for example if you're going to KLCC from Kelana Jaya. First, take the train from Kelana Jaya, disembark at Pasar Seni station. Do not change platform... you just wait for a train coming from Masjid Jame'. Then take that train and stop at Kampung Baru Station. Disembark there and do not change platform. Wait until a train coming from KLCC arrived and take that train. It will take you to your destination. Waiting time for each transit, not so short... quite long. Well, only one track was operational. Imagine that.

But actually, I'm not here to complaint. This entry is more of a suggestion for improvement. Something that RapidKL should pay attention to, you know, to make their service literally rapid :)

Why am I not complaining? Hmmm... basically because there haven't been much technical problems with Putra LRT lately. I remember that it used to be at least once a month. But right now the service has improved much and with the 4 coaches trains... the rides have become smoother. Although if I'm not mistaken there are two incidents in July... Nevertheless, problems happen.  I'm sure they tried hard with the proper maintenance. So, I'm ok with that as long as  these technical problems do not happen frequently.

Another reason why I am not complaining is because all the other passengers were cool. I'm quite impressed with my fellow LRT riders today. None of us complained loudly nor whining nor cursing. In fact, I saw a lot of us laughing and joking about the situation. Our attitudes definitely helped us through the long waiting... and the strong air-cond inside the train definitely helped us who felt like sardines in a can :)

Plus, I had fun chatting with strangers and a family from Oman. I'm sure those children and their parents would tell their friends about this little adventure that they experienced in Malaysia. Luckily, there's a cool young lady (me *wink*) who helped them throughout the whole confusions... heheheeeee... 

Ok... what is it that RapidKL need to improve if I hardly have any complaint?

COMMUNICATIONS!!!!

Helloooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!

To RapidKL, referring to today's incident, here I highlight the points where the clear & efficient communications should have been carried out:

1. At the entrance of all the stations - we do not need to find  out that the train is delayed only after we have bought the ticket and already waiting at the platform. If we have been informed up-front about the delay, we could decide whether we want to proceed to the platform or look for another mean of transportation. All this while, this is what happened.
2. Inside the train - please tell us, the passengers what is going on. Most of the passengers inside the train did not know that they were suppose to disembark at certain station. Some end up going back to where they were coming from. For your information, the announcements that were made can hardly be heard and most of the times the voice of the person were so soft, unclear, unsure and insincere. So, I would suggest training and an upgrade to the speakers inside the coaches. If you don't believe me, you can try it out. See whether you can hear those 'romantic' announcements inside a more than a crowded train.
3. At the platforms - the incident this evening, there were hardly any Putra LRT staff at the stations, especially at the transit stations to inform the passengers which train is coming from where & going to which direction. Where were you guysssssss???? That was the time which is crucial for customer service to be around to help. I mean, come on! Isn't this basic?
4. The pre-recorded announcement - 'Tren dijangka tiba lewat... kami memohon maaf...' not what we wanted to hear, at least not what I want to hear repeatedly. We're not expecting the train to be late because it is already late. We don't want to hear apology over and over. We want to know what is going on, what is being done, what are the instructions, which train is going where and at which platform should we wait... and we want to know that you actually care, ok :)

Another thing about the operation this evening... the train from Kelana Jaya kept coming, all the people disembarked and crowded the Pasar Seni Station but no train coming from Masjid Jame'. Up to a point when the train from Kelana Jaya heading back to Kelana Jaya, empty and we were all stucked at the platform. In my opinion, this is not a good strategy.

Ok, I guess that's all. I'll email these suggestions to suggest@rapidkl tomorrow. I don't think I can bear another round of technical problem followed by a bad communication by them.

Before I end this, to all RapidKL passengers... FYI, technical problem is a very good time to pay attention. Bad for reading books, listening to music or sleep pretending like 'I have no time for this madness'. Unless you intentionally want to go around in circles.

Impressed with KLians (is there such a word?) today, signing out.

-XOXO-