The implementation of congestion charges in Kuala Lumpur is not feasible for the time being as public transport needs to be improved first, transport minister Anthony Loke has said, reported New Straits Times.
“Introducing congestion charges without providing a reliable public transportation alternative will only place additional pressure on the public and negatively impact their socio-economic wellbeing. It is important to note that developed countries that have introduced congestion charges did so only after establishing a sustainable public transport system with good networks and access to services for the people,” Loke said.
The transport minister added that it needs to be in addition to have safe access to special infrastructure for first- and last-mile connectivity, active transport modes to connect public transport stations with main activity centres or focus points, and the implementation of sustainable land use development that is integrated with a transit-oriented development concept.
At present, the transport ministry is focused on strengthening public transportation as an essential service for the people in the Klang Valley and in rural areas, while working with other agencies and ministries for the development of public transport.
Congestion charges had been presented and discussed at the cabinet committee on road safety and traffic congestion meeting for the formulation of strategies for short-, medium- and long-term solutions in addressing worsening traffic congestion, particularly in the Klang Valley, the transport minister said.
The implementation of congestion charges in Kuala Lumpur have been mooted before, in 2023 by natural resources and environmental sustainability minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, though it has been proposed before, as far back as 2015.
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Tau tak per…
They are the problem yet they think they are the solution. As Chinese say; they are the human and they are the ghost
finally someone speak and act with common sense
Thinking about it that would be FORnever since public transport is an after though for us especially on last mile connection while our reliance on cars is just staggering.
Agreed with although I don’t like him very much,but the question is K.L folks going to used it the mentality over here they support public transport initiative but they not going to use it , hoping others to use it so easier them to drive cos’ road less congested
“Congestion charges in Kuala Lumpur not feasible without providing better public transport first – Loke”
No duh Loke! But thanks to PH had crippled the public transportations, it will not improve.
It needs to be understood that part of the congestion is to be attributed to hundreds of thousands of workers travelling to and from the Klang Valley Mon to Fri as they work there. People travel from Seremban, Nilai, Bangi, Kajang, Serdang, and so forth. This adds to the congestion. Now, think about providing them with an effective and efficient public transportation network. It is not just about improving public transportation within the Klang Valley – it is also about major improvement to the connecting infrastructure from Seremban and other places. If the connecting public transportation is world class, why should we drive and add to the congestion, not to mention precious hours lost being stuck in the massive rush hour jams? Getting stuck in the jam after the Sungai Besi toll every weekday morning is so annoying. Why can’t traffic management authorities consider a contra-flow for the time being during rush hours? After all, this is done in various parts of KL and it does help to ease the congestion. Experts need to be called in to assist us in managing traffic congestion issues. A solution needs to be found real quick.