Don’t sideline them: According to Law, roads in Malaysia are facing various challenges such as the lack of motorcycle lanes, besides the perennial potholes. He said it is crucial to ensure that the safety of motorcyclists isn’t sidelined as the country seeks to improve public transportation. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Initiatives under Budget 2024 to improve public transport are commendable. However, Putrajaya has to do more to improve safety on the roads, says road safety expert Assoc Prof Dr Law Teik Hua.
Law, who is from Universiti Putra Malaysia’s road safety research centre, said roads in Malaysia are facing various challenges such as the lack of motorcycle lanes, besides the perennial potholes.
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According to Law, it is estimated that motorcycle lanes consist of less than 2% of all roads in the country, while 55% of vehicles on the road are motorcycles.
He said it is crucial to ensure the safety of motorcyclists isn’t sidelined as the country seeks to improve public transportation.
“We don’t want motorists to die while waiting for the nation’s public transportation system to mature,” added Law, who commended Budget 2024 for its broad initiatives to improve public transportation.
“Public transport is the future. We should not rely on cars anymore,” he said.
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At the same time, Prasarana Malaysia Bhd, in a statement on Friday, welcomed Budget 2024’s announcements such as the resumption of the My50 monthly pass that costs RM50.
“It (My50) will benefit nearly 180,000 commuters,” said Prasarana, which added that it is good news that RM4.7bil is allocated to upgrade the LRT3 line.
“It is good news for public transport users, particularly those living in the western corridor of Klang Valley that covers areas from Johan Setia, Klang to Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya.
“It will benefit two million commuters in that corridor,” said Prasarana.
In Budget 2024, RM4.7bil was allocated for the reinstatement of five LRT3 stations that were shelved by the Pakatan Harapan government in 2018 due to cost-cutting.
The stations are Tropicana, Raja Muda, Temasya, Bukit Raja and Bandar Botanic.
Meanwhile, Prasarana also said the RM600mil for its acquisition of 150 electric buses and the construction of three new bus depots is a good move to support net zero carbon goals.
“We also welcome other initiatives for the public transportation sector that will benefit Malaysians as a whole.
“This is a testament that the government cares about the welfare and prosperity of the people, which is also in line with the Malaysia Madani aspiration,” added Prasarana.
