Ever since the new government took office, there’s been many welcome changes to how things are run in the Ministry of Transport. For example, additional kiosks have been added to JPJ centres across the country to reduce queues and escalators at plenty of LRT stations are finally fixed.
However, there is still a lot to be done to encourage the use of public transport, especially since our infrastructure and facilities are not the best to begin with.
So, yesterday, Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman suggested three ways we can promote the use of public transportation – improve urban planning, encourage employees to work from home and resolve the last-mile connectivity problem.
“Here in Malaysia, we already have the problem of spending hours on the road. But pedestrian walkways and public transport are not user friendly,” he said in the video.
The plan
To start off, Syed Saddiq stated that urban planning needs to be improved to prioritise pedestrians. To take inspiration from other countries and cities, he mentioned Barcelona’s super blocks and how every bus and MRT station in Singapore has designated pedestrian walkways.
“Not in Malaysia. The MRT’s behind your house, but it’s like hiking Mount Kinabalu everyday.”
Second, he suggested that employers need to encourage their employees to work from home. This is because the hours Malaysians spend commuting on the road equals to a loss in productivity.
Thirdly, the government needs to resolve the last-mile connectivity problem, such as by incentivising scooter and bike usage.
Netizens are not impressed
While some netizens were in support of Syed Saddiq’s suggestions, others pointed out that his ideas were irrelevant or would bring about more problems.
“Absolutely correct! Planning should be refined. Pedestrian walkways are not parking spots for cars, motorcycles or temporary stalls. Safety cannot be compromised,” said one netizen in support of him.
“This is the first time I don’t like his suggestions,” said another who thought his ideas like urban planning, working from home and micromobility are besides the point of trying to encourage use of public transport.
Watch the full video below:
Nak galakkan penggunaan pengangkutan awam?
Tapi infrastruktur dan fasiliti teruk?
Ini 3 cadangan saya!
WE CAN DO BETTER! ?? ?? pic.twitter.com/N0CNvWliCS
— Syed Saddiq (@SyedSaddiq) February 1, 2023
What’s the biggest thing stopping you from taking public transport?
Also read: M’sian Throws Shade At Property Listings Claiming 10 Min Walk To MRT, But The Path is Dangerous
