Public transportation
From MalaysiaExpat
Kuala Lumpur is served by a hodgepodge of transit systems, many of which seems to be in rather inefficient competition with each other.
Trains
The easiest to figure out are the various train systems (RapidKL, KL Monorail, KTM, and ERL). They may be poorly planned but at least the stations are easy to find. RapidKL and KL Monorail services are very frequent, making them quite handy for the journeys that they cover.
However, transferring between train systems can be a chore. Despite the insistence on using the word "integrated" in any reference to the KL transit system, it is anything but integrated. Transferring from one line to another means exiting from one station, walking to another nearby station (which could be 5 or 10 minutes away), buying a new ticket, and entering there.
This process is a little easier if you have a Touch'n Go card, since these are accepted on all the train lines except for ERL (the Putrayaja/airport line).
Buses
Buses in KL are quite confusing. Several companies run parallel bus networks, and at any given bus stop there's no guarantee of which company's schedule, if any, might be posted.
RapidKL has the most organized system, with online schedules and somewhat usable maps posted at many bus stops.
In 2006 RapidKL introduced all-day fares, which can be a very good deal. For instance, for RM2 you can get unlimited rides all day on many of their city routes, which use nice new buses and have fairly frequent service. Because many commuters haven't started using these new routes yet, they also tend to be much less crowded than other buses.
Most of the other buses have lists of major destinations on a board in the front or side window. With some knowledge of KL geography it is possible to use these to pick the right bus, but people who are visiting or new in town will just have to ask someone.
Fortunately, people standing at bus stops are usually knowledgeable about the bus system and almost always very willing to help. Bus drivers are less likely to speak English and may be harried, but will normally try to help as well.
When boarding a RapidKL bus you normally pay the driver. With some of the other buses, there is a fare collector on board who will come to you after you have found a seat, and sell you a ticket.
In the middle of the city, buses generally only use designated stops. Farther out, you can sometimes flag them down between stops.
