Tuesday January 15, 2008
Government goes all out to solve KL’s traffic problems
KUALA LUMPUR: A comprehensive and integrated plan will be drawn up by the Government to solve the city’s traffic woes, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said yesterday.
He told reporters this after opening the “Empowering the Public Transportation System-Traffic System in Kuala Lumpur Hotspots” retreat.
Najib said the Government would consider suggestions made during the retreat before drawing up the plan.
He said the main reason for traffic jams in the city was due to the considerable increase in the number of single occupancy vehicles coming into the city.
“Nowhere in the world can you keep increasing the number of roads or widening roads to keep pace with the sharp increase in passenger cars,” he said, when asked whether the main reason of traffic jams was due to lack of public transportation.
“In major cities in most developed countries, 60% of the people use public transport. In our country, it is about 20%, so we are way below the world average.”
In his speech, Najib said one reason the public still chose to use their own vehicles was because the public transportation system was still unsatisfactory and did not fulfil the demands of users especially in accessibility, continuity and being on time.
“The Government realised this and steps were being taken to improve public transportation services,” he said.
Najib, who also chairs the Cabinet committee on Public Transportation, said this included expanding LRT services, improving the quality of commuter trains and increasing the number of buses and their stops.
He said a holistic solution was needed to solve traffic problems in the city for the next two to three decades.
“This is a serious matter and should not be looked at as being unrealistic. It is very important because developing the infrastructure for traffic systems is complex in nature and needs a huge expenditure because the physical characteristics need to be streamlined with existing and future developments.”
When asked to comment on Parti Mahasiswa Negara, a group of university students who wanted to contest as independent candidates in the general election, he said it was against the laws of the country.
News Poll
- Man posted doctored photos of Nik Aziz
- Heartbreaking wait for mum
- Sodomy II: Karpal claims judge lied (Updated)
- The world just got bigger
- Opposition leaders decry court’s ruling
- Thumbs-up for Najib
- Weather warning for Perak, Selangor and Sabah
- 5-0 for BN’s Zambry
- Saiful files report over death threat
- WWF: Orang asli being used
- 60 lose RM25mil in gold investment scam
- Canberra to set new skills list
- MAS offers CNY bargains
- Sodomy II: Karpal claims judge lied (Updated)
- Fleet card cloning ring busted with arrest of trio
- WWF: Orang asli being used
- Vietnamese plumber fined RM10,000 over RM75 bribe
- ‘Flashing candy’ a health hazard: Health Ministry
- Toyota puts the brakes on problem
- Manila joins hunt for Semporna gunmen
RSS
