Public transportation in the Greater Kuala Lumpur area (KL) has been receiving particularly increased spotlight in recent years. As the government plans for the public transportation network’s expansion to accommodate for the population growth and alleviate traffic congestion in KL, critics raise concerns about the reliability and practicality of the existing system. This thesis seeks to answer the question of which operating model, competition or monopoly, best suits the KL metro rail landscape. After analyzing the operating models of Hong Kong and Singapore as reference points of gold standards of monopoly and competition-based respectively, this thesis recommends KL should shift to a competition-based operating model and be more aggressive in implementing LVC mechanisms to diversify away from significant reliance on government funds and fare revenues. Additionally, it is also important to have sound checks and balances in political and government involvement especially pertaining to the appointment and termination of top level executives of government-linked organizations directly involved with the rail transit industry such as MRT Corp and Prasarana.