A recent online survey by iProperty.com Malaysia revealed that 83% out of 952 respondents will only opt to use public transportation if it is as efficient as those found in countries like Hong Kong or Singapore.

In Hong Kong, 90% of the daily journeys are on public transport, making it the highest rated in the world.

In Singapore, according to the Singapore Census of Population 2000, it was stated that 52.4% of residents, excluding foreigners, go to work using public transportation.

Chief executive officer of iProperty.com Group, Shaun Di Gregorio said the survey provided a good insight on the usage of public transportation in the country because one of the key factors that people look at when buying or renting property is the accessibility to public transport.

Di Gregorio said, “If the system meets their requirements and requires minimal transits, they will opt to use it instead of driving.

“It is because of this, in the iProperty.com website, we have incorporated a section on the amenities available near each residential or industrial property making it easy for property buyers to see the facilities and amenities that are available in an area of their choice".

The number of people in the Klang Valley is currently at 6 million and is expected to increase to 10 million people in 2020.

The Klang Valley also has 3.2 million cars and its number is growing at an average of 30,000 cars per month.

By 2020, there would be approximately 7 million cars, a number that the Klang Valley cannot support.

Di Gregorio added that in order for Kuala Lumpur to become among the 20 most liveable cities in the world, a well-grounded public transport policy needs to be put in place with a well-coordinated public transportation system.

The incorporation of public transportation options and considerations into broader economic and land use planning can also help a community expand business opportunities, reduce sprawl and create a sense of community through transit-oriented development.

Public transportation also helps to reduce road congestion and travel times, air pollution, as well as energy and oil consumption.

The public transportation system in Malaysia comprises of bus, railway and taxi services.

In the Klang Valley there is an integrated public transportation system incorporating the Light Rail Transit (LRT), monorail, railway and bus services.