Don’t just talk about traffic congestion – solve it!

 

Last week, I found myself caught in the familiar chaos of Kuala Lumpur’s notorious rush-hour traffic—a shared experience that tests the patience and resilience of even the most seasoned commuters.

According to the Tom Tom traffic index, driving 20km to and from work during peak hours takes an average of 1 hour and 26 seconds. In a year, workers in Kuala Lumpur spent 333 hours on the road, of which 162 hours were lost to congestion.

This congestion comes at a significant cost. Commuters spend RM1,935 a year on fuel. Their vehicles emit 1,712kg of CO2 – a setback for the country’s net zero ambition.

Considering the median wage in Kuala Lumpur is RM3,800 a month, and there are 849,300 employed persons in the territory, bad traffic could cost the economy up to RM1 billion.

The indirect costs are even more dire. A paper by M Nomoto, Akiko Hara, and Kimiyo Kikuchi published in the Journal of Human Ergology found that people who spend more than 40 minutes commuting a day are 34% less likely to engage in physical exercise and 29% more likely to sleep less than five hours a day.

Another study by Libin Han, Chong Peng, and Zhenyu Xu wielded similar results. They showed that longer commuting time results in lower life satisfaction, lower job satisfaction, worse health outcomes, poor focus, and increased tiredness.

Given such detrimental consequences, policymakers provide little emphasis to such problems. In fact, commuting time can be reduced in three simple ways.

1. Enhance reliability of public transport

Buses and trains must adhere to strict schedules to build public trust in the system. Currently, unpredictability in arrival and departure times discourages potential users. When public transport operates on time, more commuters will consider it a viable alternative to private cars.

This can be achieved through better management and investment in technology, such as real-time tracking systems, which can inform commuters about the precise timings of buses and trains, thus reducing waiting times and improving the overall user experience.

2. Improve connectivity and accessibility

One effective measure is to implement dedicated bus lanes that are strictly enforced, especially during peak hours. Although bus lanes exist in theory, their poor implementation has rendered them ineffective, with cars often encroaching on these lanes.

Enforcing these lanes rigorously would ensure that buses move swiftly and efficiently, making public transport faster than private vehicles during rush hours. This can be done simply by giving strict and consistent penalties for cars that violate the law.

Creating more seamless integration points between different modes of public transport, such as buses, trains, and last-mile solutions like bicycles or scooters, would significantly enhance the overall efficiency and attractiveness of the public transport network.

3. Promote hybrid or remote work options

The Covid-19 pandemic demonstrated the feasibility of remote work for job roles that can be performed outside of a physical office, and continuing this practice could substantially reduce traffic congestion.

According to the TomTom Traffic Index, enabling employees to work from home just three days a week can save approximately 220 hours and RM1,151 annually per person.

This reduction in commuter traffic not only alleviates congestion but also contributes to lower pollution levels and improved urban air quality. Policy incentives and support for digital infrastructure can encourage companies to adopt flexible working arrangements.

Many countries, including our neighbour Singapore, are actively encouraging such policies. We need to keep pace with the future of work.

Implementing these three solutions can collectively contribute to substantially reducing traffic congestion in Kuala Lumpur. These measures will not only improve the efficiency of the city’s transport system but also enhance Malaysians’ overall quality of life.

What is particularly baffling is that these solutions are not only feasible but also relatively low-hanging fruits that can be achieved merely with political will and proper enforcement.

The current situation in KL, and by extension, other big cities in Malaysia, highlights a concerning gap between the availability of practical solutions and their actual implementation. The political leadership needs to prioritise these initiatives, recognising that the benefits far outweigh the costs.

Proper enforcement of bus lane regulations, investment in public transport infrastructure, and policies encouraging remote work are straightforward actions that can yield substantial improvements.

Malaysians deserve better. It is high time that the authorities demonstrate a commitment to resolving this long-standing problem. By taking decisive action, they can ensure that KL becomes a more liveable, efficient, and sustainable city.

The frustration of daily commutes can be alleviated, public health can be improved through reduced pollution, and the overall economic productivity of the city can be enhanced. These solutions are within reach, and with the right political will and enforcement, KL can move towards a future with less congestion and better quality of life for its residents. - FMT

The views expressed are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.