Citizens for Public Transport (Cepat) - a coalition of 25 NGOs in Penang - wants the prime minister to revamp the Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board (CLVB).

In a letter sent to Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today, the group said the public transportation system in Penang has deteriorated over the last 10 years and that the situation clearly shows that the CVLB is "incompetent".

"We have clear evidence that the board, which is supposed to regulate public transport in the public interest, has used its powers in a way that is more of hindrance than help in solving the traffic crisis in Penang," the coalition stated in its letter.

Despite the board's "sudden flurry of activities", Cepat claimed that there was nothing to show that it was making policy decisions to address Penang's traffic problems, all well-documented in independent transport studies.

"We are convinced that the present appointees to the board have neither the professional expertise nor the political will to carry out their statutory duties.

"We therefore urge the government to carry out a revamp of the board (through) the Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board Act."

Cheapest, quickest way

The coalition further called for a professional advisory group to be set up to guide the government in disbursing the RM4.4 billion public transport fund.

It said the advisory group could help make recommendations for the utilisation of the money with focus on maximum effectiveness rather than political expediency.

Cepat pointed out the government could not neglect improvements to the bus service, saying this would be the cheapest and quickest way to reduce private car dependency, the major cause of traffic jams.

"The government must not delay revamping the present bus system on account of mega projects like the LRT and monorail. This will actually slow down the process of overcoming the traffic crisis that is the cause of so much local discontent (as well as discouraging tourism and foreign investment)," said the coalition.

"If that happens it would again suggest to the public that government policies are dictated more by political expediency, rather than public good."

Meanwhile, DAP Kepong parliamentarian Dr Tan Seng Giaw said the public should ensure that the public transport trust fund - accruing from cuts in petrol subsidy - is spent properly.

He said since the government has now given Rapid KL Sdn Bhd the mandate to establish an effective integrated public transport in Kuala Lumpur, the company should make the best of the fund.

"It should ensure that its management is of very high standard, without bureaucracy and inefficiency. The government subsidises public transport. The people should be alert," he said in a statement.