PETALING JAYA: Despite the growing use of public transport in Malaysia, the love for cars remains strong, leading to worsening gridlock in Kuala Lumpur, where commuters are spending more and more time stuck in traffic.
In 2022, the average Malaysian driver in Kuala Lumpur spent about 113 hours on the road due to congestion, according to the TomTom Traffic Index.
Dr Katherine Poh, a public transport advocate, emphasized the need for the government to invest more in improving public transport infrastructure to make it more attractive to commuters. She suggested that expanding efficient networks, implementing smart traffic management systems, and upgrading infrastructure could help alleviate congestion. Poh also recommended urban planning that prioritizes mixed-use development and encourages telecommuting to create a more sustainable transportation system.
She also called for the implementation of congestion charges, which are fees on vehicles entering specific zones during peak hours, to discourage private vehicle usage and boost public transport ridership. This strategy has been successful in cities like London, Singapore, and Stockholm.
Last month, Natural Resources and Environment Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad stated that congestion charges would be considered once the Mass Rapid Transit 3 (MRT3) project is completed. The MRT3, which has yet to begin construction, is expected to connect to the MRT, LRT, KTM, and Monorail lines through 10 interchange stations.
Assoc Prof Law Teik Hua, from Universiti Putra Malaysia’s Road Safety Research Centre, voiced his support for implementing a congestion charge similar to those in Singapore and London. He suggested initiating the process in a crucial central area of Kuala Lumpur before expanding it to cover larger areas.
Assoc Prof Law also predicted that traffic conditions in the Klang Valley and along major highways will worsen this year due to factors such as poor traffic management and increasing vehicle ownership. Transport Minister Anthony Loke revealed that the number of registered vehicles in Malaysia had exceeded the population, with over 36.3 million vehicles as of October 2023.
