Comprehensive review of the public transport system of Kuala Lumpur and the Klang Valley 19.3.2007.

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw calls on the Government to review comprehensively the whole public transport system, including Rapid KL and other basic facilities, such as having more car parks with reasonable charges in the outskirts of KL.

Once the public tranport system becomes more reliable, City Hall Kuala Lumpur (CHKL) will be able to consider seriously the implementation of congestion pricing.

Dr Tan spoke at the CHKL Congestion Pricing in Kuala Lumpur workshop at the KL Renaissance Hotel at 3.15 pm on 19 March, 2007.

As the Yang di-Pertuan Agong delivered the royal address during the official opening of parliament today, CHKL had the workshop on traffic congestion pricing. Traffic flow in KL and the Klang Valley is closely connected. The roads cannot keep pace with the increase in the number of vehicles. This is a worldwide phenomenon.

This workshop is meaningful. CHKL uses this opportunity to tell the public the measures it has taken, elucidating the various methods of road pricing such as area licensing in London, entry permit in Singapore and cordon charging in Bergen, Oslo, Trondheim andSingapore. Being more transparent and accountable is correct.

I believe that improving greatly the basic facilities is essential before CHKL can think of congestion pricing. The most important is the comprehensive review of the public transport system including bus, light rail transit, monorail and commuter. For example, Rapid KL bus service may be marching towards a big failure. A passenger from Kepong has to change two buses to reach city centre. The company is new, but some of the buses are old, maybe seven years' old. We hope the Government investigate how many of Rapid KL buses are old as well as the ways to make the service more efficient.

Today, the number of people entering KL using public transport may be only 16%. CHKL should reveal the actual figures. When will the percentage be 60% or more? How do we achieve this? Besides transport services, the Government should ensure that there are more car parks with reasonable charges in the outskirts of KL.

One of the objectives of the KL Structural Plan (KL20) is to attract folks to live in city centre. If there is congestion pricing without adequate basic facilities, people will leave instead of live in the city centre.

KL20 has the land use policy of building more growth areas or new towns. If the public transport is inefficient and congestion pricing inappropriate, these areas will be affected. How on earth will CHKL be able to enhance the city living environment?

Dr Tan Seng Giaw