Two-hour commutes become daily reality as Klang Valley congestion worsens

SHAH ALAM – Worsening traffic congestion on several major highways in the Klang Valley is placing growing pressure on workers as short journeys turn into hours-long commutes, especially during peak periods and rainy weather.

Private sector employee Mohd Saufi Md Salleh, 39, said his daily commute from Kajang to his office in Pudu Lama depended entirely on his vehicle choice and weather conditions.

He said he had to leave home at around 7.30am and could arrive by about 8am if he travelled by motorcycle.

"If I drive, the journey takes about one hour and if it rains, it can take more than an hour.

"The time I leave work is uncertain, but if I depart at 6pm, I usually reach home at around 7pm," he said.

Saufi said the Cheras–Kajang Highway towards the Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2) was the route that most frequently left him stuck in traffic.

While agreeing that public transport was more convenient, he said private vehicles remained important, especially for emergencies and other essential needs.

Traffic stress had also pushed private executive Nur Layla Ahmad Azman, 32, to switch from driving to public transport.

She previously drove from Seri Kembangan to her office in Petaling Jaya, but said peak-hour travel could take up to two hours compared with 40 to 50 minutes during off-peak hours.

"If I drive, I use the NKVE (New Klang Valley Expressway) and MEX highways, but I could no longer cope with the congestion, so I chose to rely on trains as my main mode of transport.

"I only drive at certain times, such as during heavy rain or when I have external work assignments.

"For me, taking the train is more reliable in terms of time and quality of life. Even though I have to walk and change trains, at least I know when I will arrive at the office and can plan my journey.

"This is no longer about comfort, but about avoiding prolonged stress and fatigue caused by traffic congestion," she said.

A similar situation was faced by technician Hasrul Zul Azuan Mustafa, 43, who said he had to leave home much earlier despite the short distance of his commute.

Living in Sungai Chua and working in Cheras, he said his normal journey should take only about 15 minutes.

However, he said he had to leave as early as 7am as it now took almost one hour to reach his workplace.

"I travel via the Kajang SILK Highway, which is congested and when it rains, it becomes much worse.

"For me, this congestion affects travel time and the time we get home. We pay tolls and the roads should be smoother and help shorten travel time," he said.

Asked whether public transport was more efficient and reliable, Hasrul said he was willing to give up driving and switch to public transport.

Another private sector worker, Mohd Ramdhan Zamri, 44, said his daily commute of about 12 kilometres from Pekan Kajang to Bandar Mahkota Cheras had become a constant source of stress.

He said he had to leave home as early as 6.30am, although the journey should only take about 15 minutes, but could now stretch to almost one hour.

"The most congested route is the Kajang SILK Highway. I see toll plazas as the main cause of congestion, apart from drivers not keeping to the correct lanes.

"No one likes traffic jams because they are exhausting. I spend two hours a day in the car and it can affect both emotional and physical health if it continues," he said.