KUALA LUMPUR: The government has not planned to implement a congestion charge on private vehicles in Kuala Lumpur for now, says Anthony Loke Siew Fook.
The Transport Minister said that the Cabinet Committee on Road Safety and Congestion had previously discussed the matter in depth and noted the ministry's views on prioritising the improvement of public transport quality.
"Therefore, the Transport Ministry does not currently plan to implement a congestion charge on private vehicles," he confirmed during a question-and-answer session at the Dewan Negara on Tuesday (March 25).
He said this in response to a question from Senator Tan Sri Datuk Low Kian Chuan, who inquired whether the ministry would consider a congestion charge tax now that the First Mile and Last Mile connection issue had been addressed through on-demand transit van services.
Loke revealed that an implementation study is being conducted by the Malaysian Road Safety Research Institute and the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation. This study covers the implementation mechanism, projected reduction in traffic volume, and increased use of public transport.
Furthermore, Loke noted that the ministry is currently executing the Klang Valley Public Transport Strategic Plan Study, which includes an Origin-Destination study.
This is intended to serve as a benchmark for improving the quality of public transport, including in other states.
"This is because developed countries only implement congestion charges after establishing a good and efficient public transport system," he explained. – Bernama
