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Malaysia has a well
developed internal transportation infrastructure enabling travel
within the country to be convenient, speedy and relatively
inexpensive. All major towns have road, rail and air links and there
is a good public transportation system which includes rental cars,
taxis, buses, a Light Rail Transit (LRT) System in the capital city of
Kuala Lumpur which links to the adjoining Klang Valley District.
Another rail service known as KTM Komuter connects suburban or
adjoining districts with Kuala Lumpur.
Plying the tracks of the world-class Stesen Sentral Kuala Lumpur are
the equally impressive and well built trains belonging to different
rail operators. Offering fast, comfortable and efficient service to
city dwellers who commute daily, these trains have indirectly become
dependable yet cost-saving.
These trains have formed a network through the routes they ply. All
trains at any one time stop at designated interchanges, thus elevating
the commuters' dilemma of having to travel a long distance to catch
their connecting train. The key operators of these rail service
network are : Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB), Projek Usahasama
Transit Ringan Automatik Sdn Bhd (PUTRA), EKSPRES Rail Link Sdn Bhd (ERL)
and KL Monorail System Sdn Bhd (KL Monorail). Sistem Transit Ringan
(STAR LRT). Together, this integrated network of light rail transits
complement other mode of transportation available in the city of Kuala
Lumpur and make travelling in and around the city an easy and
convenient thing to do.
BY AIR
The other alternative is to use domestic services available from the
Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah international Airport at Subang, Selangor.
Aside from Malaysia Airlines, other domestic airlines such as Pelangi
Air, Berjaya Air, Transmile, Air Asia and Sabah Air also serve popular
tourist destinations within the country. There are domestic air
services linking KL International Airport with major cities within the
Peninsula and with Sabah and Sarawak. Points linked to Kuala Lumpur
include lpoh, Penang, Alor Setar, Langkawi, Kota Bharu, Kuala
Terengganu, Kuantan,Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Lahad Datu,
Tawau, Labuan, Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri.
BY ROAD
Most points in Peninsular Malaysia are accessible via the
North-South Expressway which links up to coastal roads and the rest of
the road arteries in the country. The Expressway is an excellent road
network which allows you to drive through Peninsular Malaysia. There
are also other modern highways which connect towns and villages
throughout the length and breadth of the country.
BUSES AND COACHES
Interstate air-conditioned buses pay between most cities and towns in
Malaysia. They offer a comfortable ride at a reasonable rate. These
are to be found in all major cities and offer air conditioned comfort
at metered rates. There are set charges for outstation travel. Bus
services are available within the cities cosmopolitan. Coach services
are available for inter-city travelling. Travelling through coaches is
interesting as you get to watch the scenery along the way while
enjoying the comfort inside the coach.
TAXIS
Taxis services are operated within the cities cosmopolitan. If
required, taxis can be negotiated and contracted to travel to certain
part of Malaysia which is not too far. There are several companies
offered taxis and limousine services in Malaysia.
TRISHAWS
The older way of moving around within the streets in the city. It is a
three-wheels vehicle modified from a bicycle. Some can be very
beautifully decorated. It is slowly being phased out as most cities
are becoming more and more modernised. However, in certain parts of
Malaysia, the service is still available for tourists. Fare is to be
negotiated.
CAR RENTALS
For self drivers, car rentals are available. Minimum age is 18 years
with a valid provincial driver's license. An international driver's
license is required. Cars are right-hand drive; driven on the
left-hand side of the road.
BY
RAILThe railway
network extends from neighbouring Singapore through the major cities
and towns within Peninsular Malaysia up to Thailand on both the West
and East Coasts. You can travel in air-conditioned comfort in daytime
first class coaches with single or double berths. Second class coaches
also have sleeping berths. In Malaysia, the railway network system has
always been a key component in the development of the country's
growth. The first railway track was built in 1885 from Taiping to Port
Weld. From a mere 12.8 kilometres of track, the network grew as
Malaysia developed and prospered. With its service covering the length
and breadth of the country, KTM Berhad runs its train on a metre gauge
of 1000mm, over a track length of 2 226.90 kilometres.
BY SEA
Ferry services are offered to major islands. In Peninsular Malaysia,
the ferry service between Butterworth and Penang island is still
popular despite the Penang Bridge link. A modern ferry service is
offered from Kuala Perlis on the mainland to Pulau Langkawi, a popular
tourist destination. Regular boat services are available on the
Lumut-Pangkor Island and the Mersing-Tioman island routes. A longboat
service is available from Labuan to Menumbak in Sabah. in the riverine
areas of Sarawak, the major means of transportation are
air-conditioned express boats. |
Information
provided by
Malaysia Tourism
Promotion Board.
