JOHOR BARU: The congestion charges proposed by the federal government will only work if there is an efficient public transport system put in place, says Johor executive councillor Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh (pic).
The state works, transportation, infrastructure and communications committee chairman said road users should also be offered park-and-ride options outside of the central business district before such a policy could be implemented.
“For now Johor Baru is not ready for this, as we have yet to have a comprehensive public transport masterplan.
“Since the reopening of the borders (that Malaysia shares with Singapore), roads have been congested,” he told reporters after inspecting a road upgrading project in Kempas here on Thursday (Feb 27).
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Mohamad Fazli was referring to the Causeway and Second Link, which were closed on March 17, 2020 due to Covid-19. The travel restrictions were lifted on April 1, 2022.
He added that congestion charges may not solve the existing traffic problem unless road users have options such as rebates for taking the bus instead of driving.
He was responding to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa, who earlier told the Dewan Rakyat that cities like George Town in Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Johor Baru were identified for the initial rollout of proposed congestion charges.
She reportedly said the proposed charges are still being studied by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research and the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Corporation.
The aspects being studied include the implementation mechanism, potential reduction in traffic volume and projected update of public transportation if the congestion charge is introduced.
The minister added that if implemented, the congestion charge, to discourage motorists from using certain roads, could reduce traffic volume in Kuala Lumpur by 20%.
