RAPID MALAYSIA/KL, TOUCH AND GO + HEROIC ACT BY MY WIFE

I was boarding a Rapid Bus from area....to Kuala Lumpur a few days before Hari Raya (was trying to avoid the heavy jam in KL especially in Chow Kit area) I noticed there were not many passengers which made me overjoyed to relax a bit thinking that perhaps most passengers have gone "balik kampung".

When the bus stopped at one area to pick up passengers (a typical rural family of 3), they were "denied" entry with apologies from the polite bus driver because "everything has gone cashless" (which I didn't know as I have been a Touch and Go and T & C e-wallet user)

I felt very sorry for these passengers. When the bus moved, I noticed presumably the father is still using an old Nokia Phone perhaps trying to contact some friends. I know for a fact such phone may not be equipped for cashless transaction or e-wallet or anything equivalent.

It made me wonder that perhaps these category of "cash" passengers may have not read any notice either published on the Rapid website or other sources.

This issue has triggered me to read the news and found out an online news portal dated April, 2019 which read : (excerpt)

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An expert in transport economics has panned RapidKL’s decision to go entirely cashless with its buses, describing it as a demonstration of bad judgement.

Rosli Azad Khan, managing director of the MDS group of traffic planners and consultants, said the decision appeared to have been made without consideration for tourists and others who travel on buses only occasionally.

RapidKL, the largest bus operator operating mainly in the urban areas of Klang Valley, Penang and Kuantan, announced recently that it would eliminate, in stages, the traditional method of having drivers collect fares in cash. Passengers will have to use the Touch ‘n Go card or myRapid’s Unlimited Travel Pass. The exercise begins this Monday.

“This is a poorly conceived plan,” Rosli told FMT. “It will discourage people, especially tourists, from using public transport.

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When I was driving on the eve of Hari Raya itself, I noticed many empty Rapid buses or with only few passengers. Has the "sales" dropped rapidly especially to underprivileged elderly people or rural old folks or even the disabled - many are struggling to even use a GSM phone - far from reaching the knowledge of smart phones for cashless transactions using e-wallet or Touch and Go.

I also do think that the Government or Transport Ministry or even Rapid and Touch and Go should "go rogue" to ensure awareness in utilising cashless are reaching all the "kampungs" or town halls even house to house if they have to, give leaflets/flyers rather than hoping that everyone to look into their website or reading newspapers/tabloids or visiting their booth at night market/uptowns.

I am fully aware that it is not an easy task to ensure the ICT especially to properly use mobile technology to rural folks especially the elderly. (and I'm not saying that the urban folks are better either)

Based on my own research for so many years and personal experience shows that there are still many people who are "afraid" to even use the ATM machine.

This is not a complaint but rather a suggestion. I propose that Rapid or Touch and Go can start working together to have a Touch and Go Reload machine installed on every buses where it can use IC or Passport to reload for cash passengers (even for foreigners, tourists, expatriates, foreign workers etc)

Thank you.

Nik Zafri Abdul Majid

A HEROIC ACT BY MY WIFE

26 June, 2020. We boarded the Rapid LRT Kelana Jaya Line from KL Sentral heading to Gombak station. At around 3:50pm, a lady (Saadah) around her early 60s stepped in (I think it's at Setiawangsa station). To everyone's surprise, Saadah suddenly collapsed on the floor face up. Her face became pale and drooping, she was having trouble in speaking, breathing and seeing. There were signs of joints contractures on her hands/fingers and legs/foot/sole fingers.

Immediately, I knew that it was a stroke attack. Suddenly another lady (Mdm H) rushed to scene and started to provide Saadah of what I think was some therapeutic massages with reflexology approach. Everyone was in panic and couldn't do anything. There were few ladies including one teenage girl Shima came to help. All the ladies listened attentively to every instruction by Mdm H.

I pressed the Passenger Emergency Intercom (PEI) hoping to get further help from LRT ERT Team or the Police - or possibly a wheel chair and ambulance to arrive. No response from PEI Another man came to my aid and looked for the police at every station - unfortunately there were none and the LRT moved on. (usually it was supposed to stop at the next station upon receiving emergency call) This other man was also puzzled of why there was no help or even a slight response. I asked him to press the PEI again (we ended up 3 times pressing the emergency button without any response) I rushed back to the scene to see how the ladies, Mdm H, Shima and Saadah were doing. I also looked momentarily at the CCTV hoping that the event was recorded. (I'm sure it does - and I sure hope someone is watching and reading this message)

Miraculously, Saadah got up and was properly reseated with the help of the Mdm. H, Shima and the brave ladies. Saadah was disoriented and suffered a temporary loss of memory. The last call on her phone indicated from someone by the name of Nash (possibly related - son I think). Mdm H. asked Shima to use Saadah's phone to call Nash but to no avail. Shima whatssap and sms Nash but without any response. Saadah slowly looking at Mdm H and said she's supposed to stop at Sri Rampai station to meet Nash but missed the station during the ordeal. She also recalled that she is staying in Taman Sri Gombak Phase 7 (near the mosque area). Mdm H told Saadah to return home to rest.

Shima who was staying in Wangsa Maju also missed the station but generously volunteered to help Saadah waiting for her bus T201 to ensure her safe return home. Once reaching Gombak station, I rushed to look for the police or anyone who could help - again - none available. Shima and Mdm. H helped Saadah to the elevator. Saadah could already walked on her own. Her memory started to recover. She even tried to run after the shuttle bus T201 but the bus left too sudden. I waved at the bus hoping that the driver could see me via the rear mirror but I failed to get his attention.

Saadah looks tired and dehydrated - a 20 minutes ordeal on the LRT that may have cause her life if not for the assistance provided by Mdm. H. and Shima. Mdm. H told Shima to get Saadah a bottle of mineral water and after much persuasion, she took a sip of the mineral water.

Puzzled :

1) Why isn't there a police at every station that we stopped? The Covid Pandemic is still active despite of the RMCO. The Passenger Emergency Intercom is not placed for no reason.
2) I'm too sure that the CCTV on the LRT recorded the event... I didn't have the time to record it as I was busy looking for help with the assistance of the other man at every station we stopped.
3) This could have been your member of the family, your mother, your sibling.

I"m not blaming Rapid KL but I hope if they read this, please improve your services. Conduct more emergency drills if necessary.

Mdm. H is NONE OTHER than MY beloved WIFE - TETTY HENNEY BINTI ZULKIFLI (President of Women in Governance and Technology Association of Malaysia)

Shima helped because Saadah reminds her a lot of her grandmother who suffered with stroke as well.

Missed a very important appointment at Seksyen 8 Shah Alam, but it's ok...it was well-worthed.

I am the happiest and proudest husband today. These brave ladies are strangers who never met but decided to help another stranger in trouble. They do not need any medal of honours but to me - it shows how strong ladies are - how they stand up for one another.