EXPERTS LAUD TRANSPORT POLICY
Plan is inclusive, will boost rail ridership and solve congestion at Causeway, Second Link, say dons
ACADEMICS and economic experts have welcomed the National Transport Policy 20192030 (NTP 2019-2030), which they said was timely to deal with the country’s transport needs.
Political and economic analyst Professor Dr Hoo Ke Ping said the policy was an inclusive plan as it covered road, rail, air and sea.
“It clearly shows that the government has a perspective in dealing with the country’s transport needs.”
Hoo, however, believed the government should also devise a standalone national road safety plan to reduce accidents.
“I believe the government must also come up with a national road safety plan that focuses solely on reducing accidents on the road,” he said, adding that such a plan was long overdue.
On Thursday, at a press conference after the launch of the policy, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said railway services had been under-utilised, therefore, the government wanted to focus on improving rail network and services.
He said besides carrying passengers, rail services could also transport freight, subsequently reducing the number of heavy vehicles on the road.
Professor Dr Amiruddin Ismail, from the Smart and Sustainable Township Research Centre under Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Civil and Structural Engineering Department, said with more focus on rail network and services, it would boost ridership and promote freight transportation.
“However, there should be separate railway lines for public use and freight transportation.
“Currently, we use the same line for passengers and freight, often resulting in delays.”
He said having a dedicated rail line to transport freight would ease congestion on the roads.
Economics expert Professor Dr Barjoyai Bardai said an efficient railway network would support the mobility of people and goods.
“The beauty of the transportation industry is that it is irreplaceable by the advancements of technology.”
On the Johor Baru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link (RTS) project that would soon resume, Johor Works, Transport and Infrastructure Committee chairman Mohd Solihan Badri said people in the state welcomed the news as it would solve the congestion at the Causeway and Second Link.
“We have been waiting for an update on the project. The prime minister’s (Dr Mahathir) confirmation of the matter was welcomed by many.”
On Thursday, at a press conference after the launch of the policy, Dr Mahathir said the RTS project would go ahead in reply to a question on its status.
He said the government needed time before it could proceed with the project, which was suspended until the end of the month.
It was reported that the suspension had been extended from Sept 30 following a request by the government, citing the need for more time to decide on the matter.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke reportedly said the discussion with his Singaporean counterpart, Khaw Boon Wan, on the project would be finalised soon and an announcement on the project would be made this month.
The RTS project was scheduled to begin construction this year and was initially expected to be completed by December 2024.