AS Kuala Lumpur grapples with yet another fallen tree incident, the city’s perennial traffic congestion issue arises yet again.
The recent spate of accidents, exacerbated by rainstorms and ageing infrastructure, underscores the urgent need for innovative solutions to alleviate the strain on commuters and the environment.
Amid these challenges, there is an opportunity to embrace flexible work-from-home and alternate shift arrangements as a viable solution.
Such arrangements have been successfully implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic as part of the “new normal”, demonstrating that these strategies are not foreign concepts.
However, as the number of cases and severity of infections dropped, it is now back to business as usual for most companies.
As we go back to the “old normal”, the statistics are staggering. Malaysians spend billions annually on wasted fuel due to traffic jams, while the hours lost in congestion translate to significant economic losses.
According to a report by Utusan Malaysia on February 21, motorists in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor collectively spend approximately RM6.8 billion annually on petrol while navigating through traffic jams during their daily commutes to work.
Law Teik Hua, a road safety expert from Universiti Putra Malaysia, told the daily that around 2.2 million motorists in the Klang Valley find themselves ensnared in gridlock during the morning office rush hours.
Referring to a study conducted by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), Law noted that on average, six million vehicles enter the national capital each day, and emphasised that during peak hours, particularly from 6am to 9am, the influx of the number of vehicles entering the capital hits a staggering 2.2 million daily, exacerbating traffic congestion and prolonging travel times.
The study, as outlined by DBKL, revealed that commuters spend an average of 580 hours annually stuck in traffic jams, translating to a daily travel time of 135 minutes, or two hours and 15 minutes.
Moreover, vehicles immobilised in traffic consume approximately 2.6 litres of fuel per hour, contributing to the substantial wastage of petrol.
The environmental impact of vehicle emissions poses a grave threat to public health and exacerbates climate change.
The recent incidents of fallen trees, which wreaked havoc in the city centre and resulted in fatalities, serve as grim reminders of the risks associated with urban mobility.
After a recent string of uprooted trees falling in the city, yet another incident was reported, the latest being on Jalan Pinang.
Every day, Malaysians not only face tens of thousands in damages to their vehicles but also put their lives at risk due to violent weather and hazardous trees, all while simply commuting to or from work.
On May 7, one person was confirmed dead and two were injured after a massive tree fell along Jalan Sultan Ismail here, near the Shangri-La Hotel.
The 47-year-old man died at the scene of the incident, which damaged 17 vehicles on Jalan Sultan Ismail.
Following this, four monorail stations – Bukit Nanas, Raja Chulan, Bukit Bintang, and Imbi – were temporarily closed for cleaning and repairs after the uprooted tree smashed into the monorail track.
Another uprooted tree fell on Jalan Raja Chulan the following morning, causing a massive traffic jam on the road leading into the city centre.
These incidents have caused significant concern among many people, who express their worries about potentially being late for work. Some even asked to work from home.
The traditional approach of relying solely on infrastructure expansion is no longer tenable.
While efforts to improve public transportation and road networks are crucial, they must be complemented by innovative policies that address the root causes of congestion.
We may sound like a broken record while saying this, but one such solution lies in promoting flexible work-from-home or shift arrangements for office workers based in the city centre.
Flexible work arrangements offer a win-win solution for both employers and employees.
By allowing employees to work remotely, companies can reduce overhead costs associated with office space, utilities, and maintenance.
Similarly, government-linked companies stand to benefit from lower operational expenses, freeing up resources for other critical investments.
Moreover, reducing traffic can alleviate strain on infrastructure and mitigate environmental degradation.
However, implementing flexible work arrangements requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders. Employers must adopt progressive policies to prioritise employees’ wellbeing and productivity over traditional notions of office-bound work or 9-to-5 hours.
Government intervention is also essential, with incentives and regulatory frameworks needed to incentivise companies to embrace remote or shift work.
With fuel subsidy rationalisation being brought up, this would also help employees adapt to the rising cost of travelling – especially those in the private sector as they are not included in the revised remuneration scheme for civil servants.
Furthermore, current salaries in the private sector, especially, are not rising in tandem with living costs. It would bode well for the government to consider flexible working arrangements to compensate for both subsidy rationalisation and inflation.
While flexible work arrangements may not exclusively entail working from home, they could also involve adjusting work hours to stagger traffic flowing into the city, thus potentially mitigating peak time congestion.
Furthermore, investments in digital infrastructure are paramount to ensuring seamless connectivity and communication for remote workers. From high-speed internet access to collaborative tools and cybersecurity measures, a robust digital ecosystem is essential for the success of remote work initiatives.
The recent testimonials from commuters highlight the profound impact of traffic congestion on mental well-being and quality of life.
From resigning from stable jobs to relocating closer to workplaces, individuals are making drastic choices to escape the daily grind of long commutes.
It is evident that the status quo is no longer sustainable, and bold action is needed to usher in a new era of flexible and sustainable work practices.
The time has come to embrace flexible arrangements to solve Kuala Lumpur’s traffic woes.
By empowering employees to work remotely or on different time arrangements, we can alleviate congestion, reduce environmental pollution, and enhance Malaysians’ overall quality of life.
It is a paradigm shift that promises to transform our cities for the better, paving the way for a more sustainable and inclusive future. – May 14, 2024
A. Azim Idris is a news editor at Scoop