“Prioritize Public Transportation” - Dr Law Teik Hua

Instead of constructing more highways, the incoming government in Putrajaya should invest more in enhancing public transportation.

The head of the Road Safety Research Centre at Universiti Putra Malaysia, Associate Professor Dr. Law Teik Hua, suggested that the incoming administration think about a 70:30 expenditure ratio, favouring public transportation over expressways.

According to Law, the best approach to lessen traffic jams, injuries, and accidents on the road is to have a well-functioning public transportation system.

Additionally, he urged the Transport Ministry to assign a group of regional specialists the responsibility of reviewing the nation's public transportation system from a variety of angles, such as affordability and the evolution of work schedules.

According to him, the team should comprise local experts from various disciplines, such as engineering, transport, economics and social sciences, to draw up comprehensive solutions.

"Homegrown experts have a better understanding of the local challenges and weather patterns in the country compared with foreign experts.

"It should also be placed under the Parliament's purview to give them more flexibility," he told the New Straits Times.

Poor connecting bus services, according to Law, were another frustrating issue that deterred people from using public transportation. As a result, he advised that the transit system be updated and regularly assessed in order to draw in more passengers.

Numerous election manifestos, particularly that of Barisan Nasional, made a big out of the promise to fix the transportation crisis (BN).

In order to connect all of the major cities in the nation, the coalition promised to integrate and modernise the national railway network if it were elected to power.

Law thought the pledge was appropriate. He suggested that the nation modernise its current rail network in order to combine it with new railway lines, in addition to having a well-designed national rail network plan.

Law also advocated for the development of a high-speed rail system (HSR) system which had been proven to boost the economy of areas along its route.

Along with improving public transportation, he asked the next government to take stricter action to reduce traffic congestion in the nation's largest cities.

"Previously, the government was encouraging the construction of more expressways, which would lead to more private vehicles on the road, which eventually caused severe traffic congestion.

"So now, the government needs to implement deterrent policies, such as a road pricing scheme, or a fee for private vehicles to enter the central business district (CBD).

"We should also gradually reduce parking facilities in town to encourage commuters to opt for public transport.

"Simultaneously, the government must provide adequate transport modes to the public so that they have other options for maintaining mobility in the town," he said.

Source: New Straits Time