Malaysians are bent on building more infrastructure for cars and other private vehicles at a time when many other countries are looking for alternatives to private vehicle ownership as oil prices soar.
Even in the United States, notorious for promoting private vehicle ownership, an increasing number of Americans are turning to public transport – and even bicycles. Nearer to home, New Delhi has bitten the bullet and opted for a Bus Rapid Transit, which it is now introducing with a lot of teething pains. Nobody said it would be easy, but it has got to be done if we care for our environment.
Think again. Do we really want to entrench the use of private vehicles with more highways and road bridges? Shouldn’t the new link for Penang be a rail link? The Penang state government should do the right thing, and not take the easy way out by opting for a KL-inspired solution, which is more focused on inflated construction costs and lucrative toll collections.
Trains, buses, guided buses, trams and bikes are the way of the future. Let us not go against the tide and burden future generations. Even that might not be accurate. At the rate we are going, as one blog reader cautioned me, there might not be any “future generations” left to inherit our polluted and poisoned world.
Trains, Buses and Bikes, Oh My!
Last week, Isaiah reported on the 7% increase in mass transit ridership, and also how limited that increase is. Because the Bush administration did nothing to make mass transit more convenient and accessible, many Americans who want to quit paying for high-priced oil don’t have that choice.
It’s not just mass transit. It’s bikes too.
Today, my local paper headlined “Bike Sales Rise With Gas Prices. In fact, local outlets across the country are reporting the same spike with bikes. And interest seems to be growing beyond the stereotypical hippie bike messenger. Read more
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I wonder what makes you think that the current government would ever do anything that would: 1)be cost effective (not white elephant).Means would give back ROI (return of investment) 2)not involve PM’s cronies to getting their hand on it 3)not ensure that the ‘land-prince’ got the majority of the contract? etc A good and efficient public transport would not benefit the current government. The 1st thing to go is their much beloved milo-tin car. Now that would only make M’sia to lose face. But that won’t happen as they would try to bail it out with Petronas $$. And what… Read more »
if you stay in KL and hometown in Penang, do you think its convenience for you to travel back kampung every month to see your parents on public transportation?? it need atleast five hours for you to reach Penang that doesn’t include extra time for you to change to another bus before reaching home.. say another 1. All in 6 hours gone, compared 3 -4 hours terus sampai rumah if you drive on your own.. PUBLIC or PERSONAL transport you still need good highways, bridges, etc…
that my opinion la…
Malaysia has one of the cheap petrol in the world even cheaper than Indonesia. But how long can BN absorb all the subsidies?
It is all BN’s fault – having a national car and driving malaysian mentality to own cars.
It is time for NGOs to promote alternative transport. They should press the government for funds and campaigns. Companies should have flex hours for staff to start work at different time like 7.30 am, shower rooms for those who cycle to work, build cycle paths etc
Just wonder what will happen to our motor vehicles if the world is run out of petrol and diesel.
To me, bicycle is still the best option. Lets all of us start cycling now.
Bicycle is the most nature friendly vehicle.
Let’s subsidise public transport and not private transport.
I’m not sure about how it’s like in Penang, but I do agree that public transportation should be the way to go. Definitely not new roads for more private vehicles. Buses, trains, monorails, sub-ways, LRTs. I believe that by improving public transportation, not only will traffic congestion be solved (maybe only slightly, but it’s still better than not doing anything), it helps save fuel and petrol use. No traffic means people get to their destinations on time too. More public transport means tourists can get around the place more, instead of having to get on expensive taxis and get stuck… Read more »
Currently, we pay RM7 for toll and RM7.70 for ferry. Hmmm… I wonder how much it would cost for the new bridge?