Anwar: 13MP Pushes for Improved Connectivity – Better Buses, Trains and Roads

The government is stepping up efforts to improve how Malaysians move, whether it’s by bus, train or car as part of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP). The focus: better public transport, stronger regional links, and more affordable travel for everyday people.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said 1,200 new buses and 300 on-demand vans (DRT) will be rolled out, especially in cities, to make it easier for people to get to and from train stations or main bus lines. It’s all about solving the first and last mile problem that makes public transport less convenient.

Rail services are also getting a boost. The government is adding 217 new passenger trains to make train rides more frequent and reliable. And it’s not just about more vehicles, travel costs are being looked at too. Monthly passes and discounts for students, senior citizens and people with disabilities will continue, along with subsidies for student air travel.

At the same time, big infrastructure projects are moving forward. These include the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) connecting Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang to the West Coast, the Gemas-Johor Bahru electric rail upgrade, Penang’s upcoming LRT line (Mutiara LRT) and a new autonomous transit system in Iskandar Malaysia (E-ART).

Anwar said all this isn’t just about faster journeys, it’s about smarter development. By building around transit hubs, the government hopes to create more liveable cities where homes, businesses and public services are all connected.

Roads aren’t being left out either. Major upgrades are coming to the PLUS highway in Johor and Penang, along with continued work on key highways in Sabah, Sarawak, Pahang and Kelantan. These projects are meant to ease congestion and open up access between towns and states.

Rural areas are also getting long-overdue attention. Over 2,800 KM of roads will be built or upgraded in places like Sarawak, Perak and Pahang to help connect remote communities to the rest of the country.

The plan also includes shifting more cargo off the roads and onto trains. The goal is to double rail freight from 6% to 13%, easing traffic and hopefully cutting down road accidents too.

Additionally, the government also plans to improve cross-border travel by upgrading ICQS checkpoints in Bukit Kayu Hitam and Rantau Panjang, CIQ facilities in Sabah and Sarawak, and the Rantau Panjang–Sungai Golok bridge to Thailand.

All in all, the 13MP is shaping up to be not just a transport plan, but a nationwide push for better, more connected living.

Source: BERNAMA