Malaysia invests in transport to enhance public safety

Friday, March 8, 2024

The Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced the government’s decision to allocate RM50 million towards the expansion of special bus lanes and the procurement of 100 Demand Response Transit (DRT) vans in the Klang Valley, set to commence in September 2024. Serving as the chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Road Safety and Traffic Congestion (JKMKJR), Ahmad Zahid shared insights into the positive impact of special bus lanes implemented in Jalan Ampang and Genting Klang since July 3, highlighting significant time savings and a noticeable increase in passenger numbers ranging from 20 to 45 percent.

In light of these results, the committee has resolved to sustain the special bus routes in Jalan Ampang and Jalan Genting Klang. Additionally, plans are in place to extend this initiative to Jalan Klang Lama by June 2024 and to explore the feasibility of introducing bus lanes in Jalan Cheras and the Federal Highway. Ahmad Zahid, also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, mentioned the committee’s decision to gradually introduce a new traffic dispersal system at critical congestion points, drawing on insights from various governmental bodies.

The effectiveness of contra routes in alleviating peak-hour traffic congestion has been affirmed by a study from the Malaysian Road Safety Research Institute (MIROS), with an overwhelming majority of highway users endorsing this strategy. Measures to enhance enforcement and operational safety, particularly concerning the use of cones and lighting during adverse weather conditions, have also been agreed upon.

Furthermore, PLANMalaysia has been tasked with reviewing development proposals through the lens of ‘Transit Oriented Development’ (TOD), aimed at easing road congestion, especially in areas affected by major public transport projects. Ahmad Zahid also touched on concerning statistics related to road safety, pointing out the high number of traffic-related fatalities last year, with motorcyclists accounting for a substantial portion of these deaths.

The meeting also covered various proposals, including traffic dispersion in Johor Bahru and improvements to pedestrian and bus infrastructure in the Klang Valley, with the goal of enhancing public transport services. In a parallel announcement, Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook revealed plans for the Royal Malaysian Police to issue daily reports on road accidents to heighten public awareness about road safety, moving away from the annual release of such data to instill a more immediate concern for road safety among the public.

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