With the price of goods and services skyrocketing, will the people have to suffer any longer just to get into the capital?
The government yesterday announced a plan to implement congestion charges in Kuala Lumpur, George Town and Johor Bahru – the first three cities to be charged, according to Federal Territories Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa.
He said the measure has the potential to reduce KL traffic by 20% and is currently being studied by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) and the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC).
People No Need to Panic, Still Under Study!
The plan was proposed after the government looked at global models such as the e-plate system in New York, Singapore's electronic tolls, congestion charging zones in London and the number plate queue system for traffic control like Beijing and Jakarta.
However, Transport Minister Anthony Loke stressed that the charge will not be implemented until the public transport system is truly efficient.
This congestion charge is part of the KL Traffic Master Plan 2040, which also aims to reduce the RM20 billion annual economic loss due to road congestion.
But the question is, is this charge a solution or a new burden for the people?
