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Public Transport
The average visitor will have no trouble getting about town using
Kuala Lumpur's public transport and taxis. While there are few snags
(most notable in the light rail system) with the exceptions of Singapore
and Hong Kong public transport in Kuala Lumpur is still far better
than other cities around Southeast Asia.
Taxis
Taxis are plentiful in Kuala Lumpur and are usually the easiest
way to travel about Kuala Lumpur. More efficient and convenient
than a public bus, fares are very cheap (too cheap in many cases
as drivers will often refuse a fare that they know will be unprofitable).
There are two types of taxis standard and premium. Standard taxis
are usually red and white and can be found easily. Premium taxis
are bright yellow and usually found queuing for fares at 5 star
hotels. Flagfall for a standard taxi is RM 2.00 for the first kilometre
then 10 sen for each additional 200 meters. Flagfall for a premium
taxi is RM 4.00
Once you get into the taxi it is best to confirm with the taxi driver
that the meter will be used and before getting underway - then be
sure to check that meter is running. Most drivers will use the meter
but if you do encounter a driver who is unwilling just get out and
hail another cab. If you forget (and it happens) you will be in
a weak bargaining position. If that happens a safe gauge for payment
would be from RM 5.00 for a short jaunt up to RM 10.00 to take you
from one end of town to another or if you have been stuck in traffic.
Also be advised that taxis can be hard to get during Friday prayer
time and during shift changes.
A couple of other points to bear in mind. You will be charged RM
1.00 for each bag placed in the boot. There is a RM 1.00 surcharge
for taking a taxi from a queue at a hotel. As well there is a 50%
surcharge levied between 12.00 midnight and 6.00am and a 20 sen
surcharge per additional passenger. And lastly be advised meters
are often not used outside Kuala Lumpur - in such areas you'll need
to bargain the fare before you head off.
Bus
There are 3 bus companies in Kuala Lumpur: Intrakota, Metro and
Park May's Cityliner. Whilst the buses are for the most part in
good repair and usually air-conditioned the bus system is a bit
confusing to the uninitiated. Fares vary by the company - i.e. Intrakota
practices a standard 90 sen flat fare whereas Cityliner has different
fares for different distances/stages. If you do choose to take the
bus have plenty of small change on hand for your fare as there is
no return change policy.
City
Train
The KTM Commuter service is quite restrictive for visitors wanting
to travel within the city centre as it serves more the outlying
states. It is more useful if you are planning a day trip out of
Kuala Lumpur or to tour Malaysia (click here). Plans are underway
to integrate the multiple operators of the trains and light rail
trains to all converge at the new KL Central Station. When this
would materialize is anyone's guess but integrating the system would
certainly be a welcome development.
Light
Rail
Modern, fast and clean the Kuala Lumpur's Light Rail Train system
is an interesting and economical way of traveling around the city
centre. Interesting because there are no less than 3 (4 if you count
the KTM) separate rail lines all run by different operators. The
systems are not integrated. More often than not in order to complete
a journey passengers will need to transfer between different lines
which means leaving one system and walking across the road to another
station buying another ticket and so on. While the light rail system
is easy enough to use but you can get confused when you change lines
as station signage is not always clear and the stations look pretty
much the same from the street (except the monorail). The minimum
fare on any line is 50 to 70 sen making the average fare RM 1.20
for a medium distance trip (per rail line).
Monorail
Opened in August 2003, the 9.6 km long monorail system cuts through
the main commercial, hotel and shopping district of Kuala Lumpur,
originating from Jalan Tun Razak in the north follows along Jalan
Sultan Ismail before terminating at Kuala Lumpur Central Station
in Brickfields. Fully elevated, trains whiz by overhead every few
minutes stopping at one of the 11 conveniently placed stations.
Slightly more expensive than the Light Rail Trains (there are 3
fares RM 1.20, RM 1.60 and RM 2.10 depending on distance).
KTM
- Rail Pass
A great way to see Malaysia is by train and the national railway
KTM makes it easy and economical for foreign visitors with a Rail
Pass. Passes can be purchased for unlimited travel on the KTM system
for 5, 10 or 15 days (the longer the pass the greater the discount).
Valid for use by foreign tourists holding an international passport
(except Singaporeans). Passports need to be produced upon
purchase of the pass and when confirming seat/berth reservations.
The Rail Pass is good for unlimited travel on any Intercity train
service throughout KTM Berhad's network up to Singapore. Also included
is the 9.6 km long monorail system. The State Railway of Thailand
is excluded.
Ticket reservations using the Rail Pass need to be made at the embarking
station with validity commencing on the date of first journey. Seats
/ berths are subject to availability and there are no additional
charges for seat reservations
Be advised there is a nominal additional charge for sleeper berths
for travel on any of the over night services (Senandung Malam /
Senandung Langkawi / Ekspres Wau / Ekspres Timuran). Check with
the ticket counter for the current amount (for trips originating
in Malaysia the amount is charges in RM for trips originating in
Singapore the amount will be charged in Singapore Dollars (SGD).
Unfortunately refunds are not available for any unused portion of
the Rail Pass. It is also not transferable - so plan accordingly.
A Rail Pass can be purchased through Railway Ticket Agents or at
the following Railway Stations: Padang Besar, Butterworth Station,
Kuala Lumpur, Pelabuhan Klang, Johor Bharu, Singapore, Wakaf Bharu
and the Penang Ticket Counter.
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