Ernest is: on transit! 🚌🚇🚅
@ernestonpt.bsky.social
190 followers 220 following 520 posts
I like public transit, good design and effective policymaking // tweets with policy-heavy nuances from 🇲🇾and the world | Donate to me & my team at: https://ko-fi.com/urbanalliancemy
Posts Media Videos Starter Packs
ernestonpt.bsky.social
Proud to announce a brand-new design system for bus stops, starting in Kuala Lumpur!

With the help and support from Transport for Jakarta and CMC-SEA (and a fellow mak cik!), we had rolled out a pilot design of the bus stop poster in Pudu

Look forward to an improved bus stop near you!
A full frontal view of the completed installation of a brand-new pilot bus stop poster at a transit shelter. The sign is neatly organised with colour-coded route zones, clear timetable information, and a QR code for users to scan and provide feedback. The design emphasises accessibility, clarity, and digital integration as part of a new public transport wayfinding system. A wider shot of the brand-new pilot bus stop poster at a transit shelter. A person is adjusting or installing the new pilot-design bus stop poster at a transit shelter. The layout showcases a structured, colour-coded system for routes including 400, 420, 421, 450, 580, 590, and DRT services from the bus stop. The right-hand side of the poster includes a QR code, inviting users to scan and give feedback. The design reflects a shift toward modern, tech-integrated public transit signage. A person helping to install a newly designed pilot bus stop poster. The sign features a clean, colour-coded layout with detailed route information for buses 580 and 590. A QR code is prominently displayed, inviting users to scan and provide feedback. The poster exemplifies a modern, user-centric transit signage system.
ernestonpt.bsky.social
If the mobile app that people use to order paratransit/DRT in Malaysia can randomly enter maintenance mode on a weekday morning, this will deter people from actually relying on it as a reliable method of transport, on top of myriad of issues with the implementation of DRT:
Aplikasi Tempahan Rapid On-Demand Sedang Diselenggara
13 October, 2025
Pelanggan yang dihormati, untuk makluman, aplikasi tempahan van Rapid On Demand (ROD) sedang diselenggara ketika ini.
Semua laluan van Rapid On-Demand terlibat, termasuk Rapid Penang.
Pasukan kami sedang berusaha untuk mengembalikan fungsi aplikasi ke tahap optimum secepat mungkin.
Kami mohon maaf atas kesulitan yang dialami.
Terima kasih.
Rapid On-Demand Booking Application Under Maintenance
Dear valued customers, please be informed that the Rapid On Demand (ROD) van booking application is currently under maintenance.
All Rapid On-Demand routes are affected, including Rapid Penang.
Our team is working hard to restore the application to optimal performance as soon as possible.
We apologize for the inconvenience caused.
Thank you.
ernestonpt.bsky.social
Cannot wait to share what I had been working on buses for months in the making, stay tuned!

(Bonus if you can guess which bus stop is depicted in the background...)
Promotional graphic showing redesigned bus stop posters with the headline “Your Next Stop: A New Look.” The design preview displays route information cards for buses, including destinations like “390 Sg Long” and “Lalaport Bukit,” along with route codes and multilingual text in Malay, Chinese, and Tamil. Below, the caption reads, “Clearer info coming to your bus stop soon.” Logos at the bottom indicate the collaboration between ST Wong + Partners, FDTJ (Transport for Metropolitan Jakarta), and CLEAN Mobility Collective. The overall look is modern and professional with pastel gradients.
ernestonpt.bsky.social
If I had it my way, those bus shuttles should definitely had priority over every other traffic, and police should provide escort services for it
ernestonpt.bsky.social
Putting aside RapidKL’s flaws for the disruption last night, the most infuriating thing I saw was a police escort for an unnamed VIP to speed through a congested Jalan Bangsar flooded by ride-hailing and taxis slowing down the buses to shuttle LRT users
ernestonpt.bsky.social
Update: Normal services has resumed on the Kelana Jaya LRT

Naturally of course, I had to claim a delay slip as keepsake with a MRT line conspicuously missing…
Delay slip for the duration of the KJL rail disruption
ernestonpt.bsky.social
If you are among those stuck along the Kelana Jaya Line at Bangsar today, you can also take RapidKL buses 750, 751 or 772 to continue on at Asia Jaya:
750, 751 and 772 as a bus alternative to Bangsar and Asia Jaya Crowds of people waiting on the platform at Pasar Seni
ernestonpt.bsky.social
I'm a big fan of building more housing near transit and well-paying jobs but arbitrary colours separates that in distinct zones and thus the need to have a car to get around is sadly the norm
A photo showing a busy city street with a railway station in the background, with buildings next to it A quiet city street with residential apartments on both sides of the street
ernestonpt.bsky.social
A core weakness in Kuala Lumpur’s urbanist discourse is our failure to define what “overdevelopment” truly means - now a catch-all for NIMBY resistance to new housing near MRTs and jobs

We must flip this narrative before their activism drives housing further out of reach
A social media campaign image showing a satirical petition titled “Continue with the Overdevelopment of Bukit Damansara!” The post features a large green check mark over a backdrop of high-rise towers and highlights that 860 people have signed the petition so far. The tone and design parody common online petitions, referencing public debates around urban density and land use in Kuala Lumpur’s affluent suburbs. Volunteers from Protect Taman Desa engage with residents at a night market (‘pasar malam’) to raise awareness and collect signatures opposing redevelopment plans in the neighbourhood. The campaign, featuring banners calling to “Protect Taman Desa from Overdevelopment,” has reportedly raised RM75,000 to defend open spaces, including a playground and a police station site. The event took place on September 30, 2025, amid ongoing local advocacy for green and public land preservation.
ernestonpt.bsky.social
It was admittedly humorous to see UOB branding everywhere at the starting line for the KL Standard Chartered marathon

But it seems the organisers got smarter with a huge banner at the front blocking the UOB logos when viewed from the starting line
A footbridge covered in UOB branding Entrance to the Bandaraya LRT station which has been granted naming rights to UOB When viewed from above, there’s a huge banner at the left which blocks the view of the UOB logos at the rear Viewing down the starting line where UOB logos are not possible to be seen
ernestonpt.bsky.social
Housing un-affordability is a growing trend everywhere, particularly worse in the US and Europe, precisely because of activism led by senior homeowners that suppresses development of housing because of vibes rather than having the freedom to build
“Bar chart from the IMF showing the house price-to-income ratio around the world, indexed to 2015=100, with data up to Q4 2021 or latest available. The chart shows that house prices have grown faster than incomes in most countries. The highest ratios are in the Czech Republic, New Zealand, Netherlands, Portugal, and Luxembourg, all above 140. Malaysia appears in the lower third of the chart, with a ratio just under 90, indicating slower house price growth relative to income compared to many other countries. India, Peru, and UAE are at the bottom with ratios around 75–80.”
ernestonpt.bsky.social
Turns out the Bkt Damansara fuss is over a 60-storey building causing traffic—so naturally I chimed in

Q: There’s an MRT nearby, why the traffic concern?
KJ: Not everyone wants to take it

Q: So KL’s car-lite TOD vision is flawed?
KJ: I challenge the developer to go w/o parking
the "Save Bukit Damansara" committee speaking to press banner for "Save Bukit Damansara - Suburbs not Skyscrapers" People gathering in front of the disused Wisma Damansara posing with a placard that says "Selamatkan Komuniti Kita" (Save our Community) Crowds of people gather to protest against Wisma Damansara's redevelopment
ernestonpt.bsky.social
Hanging out late in KL this weekend? Night trains can take you home in conjunction with the KL Standard Chartered Marathon 2025!

Here are the operating lines and stations from 01:30 in the morning on October 5:
2025 Night Trains Map showing operating lines and train stations
ernestonpt.bsky.social
I think Rafizi is largely vindicated as he wanted to push for targeted subsidies at any cost (which would net us larger savings) compared to the current system which provides subsidy regardless of income or region

Remains to be seen whether if gov moves forward but they have indicated no roadmap
ernestonpt.bsky.social
Id argue that it was a mistake to not build the monorail 20 years ago as public transport built now is always cheaper than it being built tomorrow, especially if you are anticipating demand as public transport is a great tool to build demand as well
ernestonpt.bsky.social
It’s ironic that Anthony Loke had used his physical driving licence, rather than the mobile app that everyone is forced to use, to show his driving licence during a press conference

Goes to show that physical stuff is more convent than an app on a phone, even to a minister
Anthony Loke showing off his physical driver’s licence during a press conference  Close up of the minister’s driver’s licence, which he used his physical card instead of the virtual driver licence
ernestonpt.bsky.social
As the day of subsidy rationalisation for RON95 draws nearer, are there any burning questions that you have about the scheme?

Would try and see if I can get these questions addressed
ernestonpt.bsky.social
It’s a cowardice move to keep shifting the goal posts since the 1990s on deciding what is “comprehensive” public transport as a precursor to implement congestion charge

KL’s rail network is among ASEAN’s best but god forbid we make drivers’ lives a bit harder so they use it
News headline: Anwar: Congestion charges for cities possible, but only after ‘comprehensive' public transport
ernestonpt.bsky.social
It is good to see that dormant and unused transportation infrastructure is being repurposed for more immediate needs but this said infrastructure must be ready to make way when the time comes to complete that said transportation infrastructure
Abandoned Putrajaya monorail bridge to be repurposed for use by cyclists

The government has allocated RM15 million to upgrade the 200m bridge.

Monorail Suspension Bridge
The Putrajaya monorail bridge is expected to become a popular attraction for tourists early next year.
ernestonpt.bsky.social
If you are looking into a career in transportation within Malaysia, there’s a career fair with major transportation companies organised by MOT happening on Sunday and Monday at the Northern Integrated Terminal in Gombak
MOT Carnival 1 day countdown poster featuring companies listed at the bottom
ernestonpt.bsky.social
It interests me in the discourse of the RON95 petrol subsidy rationalisation on how:
- widespread poor mathematics comprehension is
- complaints that 300L of subsidised petrol a month isn't enough (it should be much lower!)
- shocking amount of unlicensed drivers on the road
ernestonpt.bsky.social
Showing concession passes as a valid payment option
ernestonpt.bsky.social
No idea who needs to hear this but no one is going to scan a QR code just to download another app to check what time your store opens

Gatekeeping everything behind an app is unnecessarily unhelpful
Opening hours label in front of a Kenangan Coffee store but requires users to scan a QR code to download an app to know the opening times of the store