BRT best option for KK, says Rahman

KOTA KINABALU: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan is standing firm behind the idea of having a Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) system in greater Kota Kinabalu that would ease traffic congestion in the area.

"Indeed, it is true that for Sabahans to enjoy a better public transportion system, they need to 'invest' more in the form of higher fares but rest assured the Government will ensure the BRT fares are within the affordable range for all Sabahans," he said in response to the statement by Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) vice president Junz Wong that the party would be able to offer a better solution to reduce traffic congestion in Kota Kinabalu and Sepanggar by improving the minibus system.

"In his statement, Junz Wong also accused me of not understanding the plight of ordinary Sabahans who use minibuses as a daily mode of transportation. As much as upgrading the existing network of minibus system is important, after undertaking various studies under the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) and relevant agencies, I believe that the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is the best option at the present time to ease the congestion especially in the Greater Kota Kinabalu area," said Abdul Rahman.

Rahman said the issue of having minibuses is not only a matter of reliability, punctuality or convenience to the commuters but it is to solve the traffic congestion and to ensure buses are not caught in the middle of the traffic.

He said the Barisan Nasional would always strive to find solutions while Junz's new party Warisan would continue to complain without having a viable alternative solution to address the concerns of Sabahans.

On top of BRT, the Government had approved the upgrading of constantly congested stretch between Indah Permai junction and Yayasan Sabah and straight to Sabah Convention Centre, he said.

"This will eventually ease traffic congestion along this road and at the same time guarantee the public of a smooth and efficient BRT journey.

"While the people of Sabah are ready and excited to move forward with this significant leap of public transportation system in this city, Junz and his party are still stuck behind and seem uncertain of what they have in mind.

"My advice to Junz, if he has nothing else to convince people of Sabah, try to convince them on how you can easily change your stance from labeling Tun Mahathir as mastermind behind project IC, to becoming his avid supporter and choice as Prime Minister of Malaysia," he said.