Budget 2020: RM1 billion to improve rural roads, RM450 million for 500 electric public transport buses

Budget 2020: RM1 billion to improve rural roads, RM450 million for 500 electric public transport buses

The goodies continued to flow out during the tabling of the Malaysia Budget 2020, with the national road and public transport also receiving some allocations. Finance minister Lim Guan Eng announced that the government will dole out a total of RM1 billion for the upgrading of rural roads in Malaysia, including RM326 million for Sabah and RM224 million for Sarawak.

He also confirmed that the government remains committed to completing the Pan-Borneo Highway, but the ongoing cost rationalisation has so far managed to relieve RM1.2 billion from the project cost. This, said Lim, has allowed for the planning of more projects to spur economic growth, including a 165 km Trans-Borneo Highway to connect Sabah and Sarawak to Eastern Kalimantan.

Elsewhere, the federal government has also set aside RM4.85 billion of funds from the Malaysia Road Record Information System (MARRIS) for all state governments to maintain and upgrade roads, which was not allowed under existing guidelines. Each state is able to upgrade roads, slopes, bridges and drains utilising up to 15% or RM20 million of those funds, whichever is lower.

Meanwhile, to reduce congestion on the Johor Causeway and Second Link, the government will invest RM85 million to improve vehicle and traffic flow through the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex (CIQ). This will include the opening of an additional 50 counters for motorcyclists, as well as the streamlining of immigration and PLUS counters.

Another RM50 million will be used to maintain and upgrade the roads to Port Klang, as part of efforts to turn it into a regional maritime centre and cargo logistics hub. The transport ministry will also conduct feasibility studies on the Serendah-Port Klang Rail Bypass for cargo shipments and the Klang Logistics Corridor highway connecting Northport and Westport for commercial vehicles, both expected to cost RM8.3 billion.

As for public transport, the government plans to spend RM450 million to purchase up to 500 electric buses of various sizes, which will be used in selected cities. It will also allocate RM146 million to subsidise bus operators for last-mile transportation in rural and urban areas.

Last but not least, the Rapid Transit System (RTS) between Johor Bahru and Singapore will indeed proceed, in order to further reduce causeway congestion. The government is also proud of its initiative to introduce My50 and My100 monthly travel passes providing unlimited rail and bus travel, which Lim said has benefitted more than 120,000 users so far.

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Jonathan Lee

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

 

Comments

  • sabahan on Oct 11, 2019 at 8:25 pm

    Terima kasih PH

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 3
  • skodamalaysia on Oct 11, 2019 at 9:15 pm

    “RM450 million to purchase up to 500 electric buses of various sizes” BYD buses direct negotiation or open tender from china?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Logical Deduction on Oct 12, 2019 at 12:47 am

    It is known that even BYD EV buses cost RM1million per unit. Where on earth did Nobita minister pull out that he could get 500 EV buses for RM450million and that without factoring the infrastructure cost?

    Smells like yet another creative accounting gimmick by our unqualified accountant plucking figures from thin air.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • This really make sense. Gov should invest in EV and also clean energy especially Solar energy

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 2
  • Rosman on Oct 12, 2019 at 12:04 pm

    Bajet hangat2 taik ayam. Kata xde duit tapi belanja boros. Lepas tu xcukup, mau adakan Bajet revisi utk tambah duit yg kita sepatutne xde. Cakap mentri xserupa bikin.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 1
  • C.P. MOHAN on Oct 12, 2019 at 12:23 pm

    Like the budget 2020, but hope spending is monitored.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2
    • Robbed for 60yrs. hoped its not too late for MY.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 4
      • Spin Too Much on Oct 14, 2019 at 10:51 pm

        Not bad. The coffers are still plenty that PH is robbing as hard as possible for the next 60 months.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • RM900k for one electric bus?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
    • Truckers on Oct 14, 2019 at 10:41 am

      Actually even BYD bus is Rm 1mil from 4 years ago, now its probably Rm 1.3mil. Dunno where he got the figures that they could buy EV bus for Rm 900k. Probably from his rear hole.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • AutoFrenz (the original) on Oct 13, 2019 at 2:03 pm

    RM1.50 for toll when…kencing issit

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • john doe on Oct 13, 2019 at 4:43 pm

    did they every check how often a SAME road is being tar again and again?
    Is that quality issue of some lousy contractor that abusing the contract job.
    JPJ should take back this road repairing job.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
 

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