An incomprehensive public transport system leads to more cars on the road. However, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong seems to have a plan for this.
During a parliamentary session, Wee said that the government is looking at the feasibility of imposing congestion charges on vehicles entering Kuala Lumpur as a measure to reduce carbon emissions.
He also added that the government will be looking to implement the congestion charges after the public transport network system is completed by 2030.
Justifying the charge, Wee said that such a system has already being implemented in major cities around the world with exceptions being given to electric vehicles.
“We will look at the payment structure for vehicles entering the city once the public transport network system is complete.”
Congestion charge? What is that?
A congestion charge is a daily fee imposed on drivers who choose to drive into a certain part of a city. Cities such as London have been doing it for quite some time now.
Vehicle users can pay the charge in advance or on the day of travel, and cameras on the roads monitor all vehicles going in the congestion charge zone.
The aim is to reduce traffic congestion, improve public transport systems and encourage the public to use public transport instead of their cars.
Netizens unhappy
Wee’s statement was met with backlash as netizens criticised him for justifying the charge by comparing Malaysia’s public transport system the ones in other countries.
“The roads are already jammed, and yet you still want to collect more of the rakyat’s money. If you improve public transport, more people will prefer to take it. Stupid,” commented a user.
A netizen said that if we had a great public transport system, then no one would drive cars.
“Comprehensive??? In 2020, there were a total of about 19,000 buses in Singapore. We have about 2,000 buses that service the whole Klang Valley. Improve the public transport service,” stated another user.
Another asked him to define what a comprehensive public transport system means. “If the RapidKL bus which is meant to come every half an hour comes hourly and whenever it feels like, is that considered as comprehensive?”
What do you think of the suggestion? Let us know in the comments.
Also read: “15-20min wait isn’t acceptable” – M’sians Are Complaining About The Public Transport In Our Country
