It’s no secret that traffic congestion has become part of everyday life for many Malaysians. The issue is so pressing that it was a hot topic of discussion in the Dewan Rakyat today, where the government debated the introduction of a Congestion Charge scheme.
What Is a Congestion Charge?
A congestion charge is a fee imposed on vehicles entering specific city areas during peak hours. The aim? To reduce traffic jams and encourage public transport use.
Following today’s discussions, George Town (Penang), Kuala Lumpur, and Johor Bahru have been identified as the first three cities to pilot this scheme.
Study & Implementation
According to Dr Zaliha Mustafa, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), the proposed charges are still under review. The Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) and the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC) are currently conducting a study on:
- How the scheme will be implemented
- Expected traffic reduction
- Impact on public transport usage
The study is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
How Will It Work?
Dr Zaliha stated that congestion charges could reduce traffic by up to 20%, but finding the right price point is key.
“The charge cannot be too low but should discourage motorists from using certain roads. We also do not want the charge to be too high, which can burden consumers,”she explained.
The government is also looking at successful congestion charge models from other countries such as New York City where it uses electronic licence plate readers to automatically charge vehicles upon entry. Singapore has an Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system, where charges vary based on zones and peak times and London follows a similar approach to Singapore to manage traffic flow efficiently.
Challenges & Considerations
Dr Zaliha agreed with the Transport Minister’s stance that a congestion charge should not be imposed until Malaysia has a well-integrated public transport system.
Currently, about 1.5 million vehicles enter and exit Kuala Lumpur daily, yet only 25% of commuters use public transport. Without a strong alternative to private vehicles, a congestion charge might be premature.
What’s Next?
For now, the government is carefully evaluating the feasibility of the scheme. If implemented effectively, Malaysia could see smoother traffic flow, reduced carbon emissions, and a more efficient urban transport system.
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