Why Malaysia needs an independent public transport body again

IN 2018, the government decided to shut down the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) and replace it with the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) under the Transport Ministry.

This move was meant to cut costs and streamline how our transport system is managed. But, in reality, it has caused a lot of disruption, affecting the quality of public transport planning, regulation, and services that millions of Malaysians rely on every day.

As someone who once held a leadership role at SPAD, I saw firsthand how dedicated teams worked tirelessly to improve public transport in this country. However since SPAD was dissolved, the public transport sector has faced serious challenges that could have been avoided.

SPAD, being an independent body, had the power to make quick decisions to address public transport issues.

Whether it was planning for new MRT lines or ensuring bus operators followed regulations, SPAD could act fast because it wasn't tied down by unnecessary red tape.

Unfortunately, APAD, which replaced SPAD, doesn't have that same level of independence. APAD is often bogged down by bureaucracy, which means slower decisions and delays in getting things done.

For example, there have been significant backlogs in licensing public transport vehicles, causing delays in bus and taxi services. Operators find themselves stuck in a never-ending cycle of paperwork, and passengers are the ones who suffer from unreliable services.

One major difference between SPAD and the current setup is enforcement.

While SPAD had teams specifically focused on public transport, enforcement duties are now in the hands of the Road Transport Department (RTD). But RTD's role is vast—it handles everything from private car registrations to road safety regulations.

Adding public transport to their list of responsibilities has stretched their capacity thin, and they simply can't offer the same level of attention that SPAD's specialised teams once did.

This has left a gap in enforcing standards for buses, taxis, and e-hailing services. Without focused enforcement, the quality of services declines, affecting the daily commute of Malaysians across the country. Not to mention the recent fiasco of logistic and commercial vehicle and bus industries.

The closure of SPAD also led to the loss of many talented professionals. I witnessed how the transition discouraged highly skilled individuals, many of whom chose to leave for better opportunities elsewhere, both within Malaysia and abroad.

Around the world, some of the best public transport systems are run by independent bodies that have the freedom to plan, regulate, and enforce policies efficiently.

Take Transport for London (TfL) as an example. TfL is responsible for the city's entire public transport system and operates independently, allowing it to quickly adapt to the needs of Londoners without getting tangled in bureaucracy.

If Malaysia wants to move forward, we need to restore a similar model—an independent agency that can focus on making our public transport system reliable, sustainable, and modern.

Public transport is more than just getting people from point A to point B. It plays a huge role in our economy.

When buses and trains are unreliable, people are late for work, goods are delayed, and businesses lose money. On top of that, a solid public transport system reduces the number of cars on the road, which eases traffic congestion and cuts down on pollution.

Malaysia's environmental goals also hinge on getting public transport right. Reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change can only happen if we make it easier for people to leave their cars at home and take the train or bus. But for that to happen, our public transport has to be dependable, safe, and convenient.

The decision to close SPAD and hand over its responsibilities to APAD and RTD has not delivered the improvements many of us were hoping for.

Instead, we've seen delays, confusion, and a drop in the quality of public transport services. We don't need more commissions focused on short-term gig economy issues. What we need is an independent body like SPAD that can bring long-term solutions to Malaysia's public transport sector.

Bringing back SPAD—or something similar—isn't just about fixing today's problems. It's about preparing Malaysia for the future.

With the right people, planning, and policies in place, we can build a public transport system that supports economic growth, reduces our environmental impact, and improves the daily lives of all Malaysians.