The government says it is mulling the idea of introducing a vehicle congestion charge in cities like Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor Bahru, with a feasability study presently being conducted on it. However, not all the ‘participating’ cities – and their state governments – think they are ready for such a move
Johor certainly thinks that it isn’t, with state executive councillor Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh saying that Johor Bahru is not ready for the proposed congestion charge, as The Star reports.
“(For now) Johor Baru is not ready for this, as we have yet to have a comprehensive master plan to overcome traffic congestion,” he said, adding that the proposed system would only work if an efficient public transport system was in place.
The works, transportation, infrastructure and communications committee chairman said that congestion charges might not be able to solve the existing traffic problem unless road users are given options, such as rebates for those who take the bus instead of driving.
“Road users should also be offered park and ride options outside the central business district before such a policy can be implemented,” he said. He however added that the state welcomes such a study, as the planning for such a system involves various quarters, including the state government and local councils.
“The matter does not just cover traffic congestion. It involves the environment and the costs imposed on the public if they were to take public transportation or ride-hailing services, among others,” he said.
Likewise, Penang is on the same page, stating that proper road systems and efficient public transportation are needed for a congestion fee to be implemented in the state.
“In order for us to implement creative means of reducing private vehicle usage, such as congestion charges and dedicated bus lanes, we first need to have alternatives. Having an LRT is a good start, and additional spinal highways such as the PIL1 are another good alternative,” said state transport, infrastructure and digital committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari.
Zairil said that without these alternatives, implementing a congestion fee would be almost impossible. He added that the current road network system on Penang island is underdeveloped due to a shortage of land space and the urban heritage landscape.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
introduce vehicle end-life policy. cars that are more than 15 years old must be scrapped, shortened the new car loan tenure to maximum 7 years and abolish guarantors for car loan. this will reduce the number of vehicles on the road.
I’d love to agree with you but unfortunately we are not a city state like SG. Majority of Malaysia’s land area is still quite rural where the only viable form of travel is by car, even if said car is 30yo first gen proton.
Since congestion only occurs in urban CBD, congestion charge is best compromise imo
it’s not car life issues, it’s too much car on the road, and it’s impossible for JB, it’s too late to do any worthwhile improvement, land is now way too overpriced for fuck sake (ydpa and his family love that part, more money to fill their coffin when they go 7 feet under) land so expensive how to make improvement for public?
on a 3rd world country like Malaysia, that will be difficult. majority of vehicles on the road are more than 15 years old. including lorries, busses, vans, trucks, motorbikes.
That’s true.
the children, teenagers and students need to go study, they also clash with peak hours.
Moving forward for good economy,
we need something to promote Healthy Birth Rate,
not de-promoting?
Why spend million for road congestion charge? Just increase petrol price in par like Thailand and you will reduce the road congestion by at least 25%
This government is a failure. Only know how to introduce new taxes or increase charges to burden the rakyat. Improve the public transport without needing to introduce a useless congestion fee. If I travel with 5-7 people in 1 vehicle, it will still be cheaper with congestion fee compared to using public trsnsport
Stop rural to urban migration would solve this problem. Charge “migration tax” on these people. They should develop their own hometown.