I OFTEN travel by the Komuter train from Seremban to Kuala Lumpur, and back.
Of late, I have noticed some puzzling features and practices at Komuter stations.
The ticketing machines are sealed and not operatiing anymore. You have to buy your ticket at the counter or use your Touch ’n Go (TnG) card.
The turnstiles at the entrances are unlocked or disengaged. You can walk through, with or without a ticket. No one is on duty to ensure that you have a ticket.
The turnstiles of the TnG lanes seem to be the only ones working. But then, you may choose not to use the lane even though you are holding a TnG card but have decided not to swipe it. After all, no one is watching.
There are notices and announcements warning those caught without tickets will be fined RM30.
A Komuter service official may conduct random checks, but how is this carried out during peak hours when the coaches are packed to the brim?
And, what if you just show your TnG card? It is certainly not possible to have on-the-spot verification of the cards used.
What about at the arrival station?
Someone is at the exit gates to collect the used tickets. The crowd is usually big.
Not everyone hands over his ticket. Some just wave their tickets, saying: “Mahu simpan, buat tuntutan.” (I want to keep this to make travel claims). Of course, you can show your TnG card, regardless of whether it has been swiped or not.
Commuters who know how the system works and are dishonest, are getting a free ride!
At the waiting platforms, the electronic boards are supposed to display the scheduled arrival time of the next Komuter train. In reality, it is pre-programmed.No adjustments are made. The system is oblivious to what is happening on the track.
In essence, you do not really know if the train is late or early.
I hope the Komuter service can be more efficient even though making profits may not be its main priority.
Liong Kam Chong,Seremban, Negri Sembilan