Too much emphasis on new roads in budget, says expert

The allocations made in Budget 2025 for enhancements to public transportation won praise from transport consultants Wan Agyl Wan Hassan and Rosli Khan.

PETALING JAYA: 

A transport consultant has questioned the government’s continued emphasis on road networks in Budget 2025, saying it only serves as a short-term solution to traffic congestion.

Wan Agyl Wan Hassan cited allocations to upgrade parts of the North-South Expressway (PLUS) from four to six lanes and the construction of the Cameron Highlands bypass as reflecting a lack of long-term planning on the government’s part.

“This might sound like a practical solution to our traffic problems, but experience shows that it only works for a while. Cities like Los Angeles have shown us that expanding roads often leads to more cars on the road – which experts call induced demand.

“In the long run, we end up back where we started, with congestion and even more pollution,” the former official of the now-defunct Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) told FMT.

Wan Agyl Wan Hassan.

Wan Agyl said the funds allocated for these projects would be better off spent on expanding the nation’s rail network and improving bus services.

“Cities like Copenhagen have shown that making public transit convenient and accessible is key to reducing car usage and building sustainable cities. Malaysia must follow these examples if we want a permanent solution to our transport issues,” he said.

He, however, acknowledged that the 2025 budget provides enhancements to Malaysia’s public transportation, as shown by the procurement of 12 new train coaches for Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad and an arrangement to lease another 50 units from China.

An additional RM270 million has been allocated for stage bus services in major cities, while public transport operator Prasarana Malaysia Bhd will procure 250 electric buses.

Wan Agyl also voiced concern over Malaysia’s overreliance on China as its supplier of train coaches, saying it represents a risky strategy.

He said a better plan would involve the diversification of foreign suppliers as a short term strategy, while the country develops local coachbuilding capabilities for its longer-term benefit.

“Imagine a future in which Malaysia becomes a hub for rail technology – creating jobs and ensuring that we have control over our own transportation destiny,” he said, pointing to India which has already embarked on a similar initiative.

“This would ensure sustainable growth and align with Malaysia’s vision for true independence.”

Wan Agyl called for Malaysia to emulate Singapore in setting out a more holistic public transport strategy by integrating bus routes, and building cycling paths and railway lines and stations to incentivise not owning cars.

Rosli Khan.

Transport consultant Rosli Khan also viewed the budget’s public transport allocation positively, lauding the government’s move away from mega projects and towards more people-centric initiatives.

He welcomed the incoming targeting of RON95 petrol subsidies but called for greater clarity and details on how Putrajaya plans to use its subsidy savings to benefit the nation’s public transportation.

“What, where, when and how much would it cost,” he asked.

Rosli also said the government ought to have shortened concession agreements for tolls and merged government-owned Railway Assets Corporation (RAC) with Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB).

“This split between assets and land ownership on one part between RAC and KTMB as the rail operator is far from ideal and does not augur well for the future of rail operations and investment,” he said. - FMT