KUALA LUMPUR – The upcoming Budget 2025, set to be unveiled on October 18, should prioritise the creation of affordable and accessible public transportation across the nation, according to transport consultant Rosli Azad Khan.
Rosli told Scoop that Malaysia’s heavy reliance on private vehicles has exacerbated traffic congestion, pollution, and the cost of living.
He emphasised the need for the government to redirect its efforts towards developing efficient public transportation systems in all towns and cities.
These systems not only reduce congestion but also lessen environmental impact and provide affordable commuting options for all income groups, he said
Rosli urged Putrajaya to recognise that equitable distribution of public transport funding across all cities and towns can only be achieved through annual budgets.
He highlighted the RM10.5billion allocation for a Light Rail Transit (LRT) project in Penang, a state he argued does not urgently require such a system, as an example of funding imbalance.
“Meanwhile, many other cities and towns, like Johor Bahru and Kota Kinabalu, which face far greater transportation challenges, receive little or no funding.
“(Therefore) the government must adopt a more balanced approach (by) ensuring that all regions have access to the infrastructure they need, based on actual demand and necessity, rather than political or regional favouritism,” he told Scoop.
Additionally, Rosli suggested that Budget 2025 should consider more cost-effective public transport solutions such as the bus rapid transit (BRT) system or automated rapid transit (ART), which was recently tested in Putrajaya.
He asserted that BRT systems can be constructed more swiftly and at a fraction of the cost of LRT systems while still offering similar benefits in terms of mobility and congestion reduction.
“By overlooking these affordable options, the government risks overspending and potentially delaying solutions that could be implemented faster and with more widespread benefit,” he added.
More ferries and buses for Penang
Zulfikar Abdul Aziz of the Penang Public Transport Users Association (Petua) expressed hopes that the annual budget will include provisions for two additional ferries, similar to those currently in service, to expand the state’s ferry routes and utilise the readily available seaway.
He also called for funding for the construction of new ferry jetties in the state, as well as for the purchase of 250 buses for Rapid Penang to enhance public bus services.
Zulfikar explained that Rapid Penang currently operates with fewer than 250 buses, while the state requires a minimum of 1,000 to effectively serve its population of approximately one million.
He further advocated for Budget 2025 to prioritise the expansion of first-and-last-mile (FLM) services through demand-responsive transit (DRT) or other modes. He also urged for allocations to develop pedestrian and bicycle facilities, creating safe pathways, bicycle parking, and functional bus stops in Penang.
“These ‘goodies’ mentioned are a proven public transport solution which was in place in Penang state until about 40 years ago.
“All that is needed is to empower those previous public transport modes and make them better (by) using advancements in technology in the public transport system,” he told Scoop. – October 14, 2024