‘Focus and direction’ the key
31/03/2006 The Star By NIK KHUSAIRI IBRAHIM

THE public transport system in the country is in a mess because the right policy is not in place.

Universiti Sains Malaysia School of Housing, Building and Planning lecturer Assoc Prof Dr Hassim Mat said that in many developed countries, roads were built before new townships were constructed.

“But here in Malaysia, roads are the last component to be built. We build townships first, and the roads come last,” he said.

Dr Hassim said that a solid, comprehensive and transparent policy must be in place, otherwise the transportation problem would persist for a long time to come.

“The policy must be drawn with the involvement of all the relevant authorities, namely the federal, state, and local governments,” he said.

The authorities must also draw up a user-friendly and practical transport policy, he said.

He said public transport woes persisted in Malaysia generally and Penang, particularly because there was no focus and direction in implementing the right policies.

For example, the bus stops and stations are located far away from some housing estates.

“Even in the Klang Valley, the nearest light rail transit (LRT) terminals are located far from some high density housing estates.

“Ideally, LRT access should be within 450m from housing estates,” he said.

Dr Hassim said a substantial number of people in developed countries depended on public transport to commute from home to workplace.

“They can afford to buy cars, and most of them own cars. But they prefer to take the public transport to work. This is because the public transport service in developed countries is excellent and dependable,” he said.

On the bus route zoning system that will be introduced in Penang tomorrow, Dr Hassim said it would not help resolve the transportation woes in the long run.

“The authorities must look into multi-pronged measures to check the problems.

“For example, they can impose charges on vehicles entering city centres during peak hours. This will help ease congestion in city centres, and at the same time promote the park and ride system.

“In Penang, car parks can be provided in Bayan Baru and Balik Pulau. People can park their cars there and take buses to get to the inner city,” he said.

Dr Hassim, who has a PhD in transport planning and Masters degree in town planning, said the cost of living among the people could be reduced if affordable, reliable, and efficient public transport system was in place.

Penang is a fast developing industrial state.

With new townships mushrooming everywhere, and with high-rise apartments in high-density areas, the authorities must seriously look into providing a good public transportation system, he said.