Congestion Charges Experts Activist Want Better Infrastructure First

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The government should improve its town planning and public transport system before imposing congestion charges in major cities, said safety and transport activists.
Road safety activist Azlan Sani Zawawi, also known as Lando Zawawi, said the plan to introduce congestion charges to reduce traffic jams might not yield its intended results without adequate infrastructure to support its implementation.
“If you see the state of our public transportation today, they are always full as it is. Can you imagine what would happen if the government imposed congestion fees and forced consumers to use public transport?
“I believe public transportation should always be an alternative instead of being forced onto us.
“When public transportation is comfortable enough for the public to willingly choose it as their mode of transportation so they can avoid traffic jams and tolls, that is better,” Azlan told Malaysiakini.
Road safety activist Azlan Sani Zawawi (left)Azlan said it is also unfair to force cityfolk to pay congestion fees when the government was at fault for over-developing major cities like Kuala Lumpur.
He added that the government should move the remaining government offices in Kuala Lumpur to the country’s administrative capital, Putrajaya.
“You keep developing and opening new real estate in Kuala Lumpur, building more high-rise buildings. What do you think will happen?
“I believe the government should start with having better town planning before they start imposing new toll fees on the rakyat. There must be a right town planning.
“If possible, move all the government departments to Putrajaya instead of forcing this (congestion charges) on people who work in Kuala Lumpur, who are already struggling economically.
“I am not saying that you cannot do it, but at this juncture, it is not feasible,” Azlan added.
He suggested that the government learn from Singapore and certain cities in Australia, which he said only adopted congestion fees after they already provided good township and transportation infrastructure.
Vital to improve infrastructure
Meanwhile, Wan Agyl Wan Hassan, who leads a transport think tank, supported the government’s plan but stressed the importance of improving infrastructure.
He said such a move has been proven to be effective in reducing traffic jams and increasing mobility in major cities around the world, including London and New York.
“In Malaysia’s context, especially in cities like Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, and Georgetown, implementation of this plan has to be paired with several important initiatives that would comprehensively increase mobility.
“These include adding bus priority lanes and increasing access to transit stations; congestion fees exemption for carpooling, and stricter parking management policy,” Wan Agyl said.
The MY Mobility Vision CEO added that the government should use the revenue from congestion fees to improve infrastructure in the cities.
On top of investing in better public transport, he said the money should also be channelled to improve pedestrian walkways and infrastructure for micro-mobility vehicles like bicycles and electric scooters.
“This would help build cities that are more people-friendly, where the rakyat would be comfortable to walk around and have access to various integrated transportation modes.
“By combining all these initiatives holistically, we would not only reduce traffic jams but also help increase the rakyat’s quality of life and mobility.
“A comprehensive approach is key to having a sustainable and efficient transport system in the future.”
Earlier this week, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa revealed to Parliament the government’s plan to introduce congestion charges as a way to reduce traffic jams.
According to her, a study in 2020 showed that the country suffered RM20 billion in losses due to traffic congestion.
The plan is still being studied by Putrajaya, but Zaliha said Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, and Georgetown have been identified as potential cities for implementation. - Mkini

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