'Target ultimate solution in transport services'
Athi VeerangganPublished: Jun 23, 2008 9:32 AM | Updated: Jun 23, 2008 9:40 AM
The Penang government’s plan to directly operate a quality bus service is laudable, said two interest-groups.
The Penang government’s plan to directly operate a quality bus service is laudable, said two interest-groups.
However, they pointed out that a comprehensive master-plan must be drawn up and implemented if public transportation woes are to be resolved.
Bus Users Group coordinator BK Ong said the master-plan should include state control over the regulation and scheduling of bus services.
Apart from amalgamation of bus companies under a consortium, the master-plan should consider the introduction of disabled-friendly buses and trams, servicing of ‘social routes’ and interior housing areas, and enforcement of the metered-taxi system.
“Only local leaders, not federal (leaders), would have in-depth knowledge of commuter requirements,” he said.
His remarks were made following the Pakatan Rakyat state government’s decision to utilise the RM50 million federal fund - left unused by the previous Barisan Nasional administration - to manage a state bus service.
Social-reform movement Aliran said the master-plan should be expanded to cover water-based transport services, a cross-channel rail link and improved traffic management systems.
Its treasurer Anil Netto also pointed out the need to discourage new mega infrastructure projects for private vehicles.
The proposed second Penang Bridge should be converted to a rail link now, since a highway would allow more vehicles to access the island where traffic is already congested.
“The money for Penang Bridge 2 should be diverted to introduce and upgrade various public transport modes,” said Anil.
He suggested that the state government sets up a public transport commission comprising professionals, bus users and NGOs in drafting the master plan.
This, he said, should cater to the needs of pedestrians, tourists, senior citizens, the disabled and school children.
“The Penang bus service, once arguably among the best in the country, has become a much-loathed service over the past two decades,” he added.
“Penangites have pinned high hopes on the Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s government to revive it and provide better service to all.”
State control ‘important’
The federal government had allotted the money to former chief minister Koh Tsu Koon’s government to set up a bus company, to be known as Syarikat Bas Pulau Pinang Sdn Bhd.
Koh’s administration dropped the idea when RapidPenang, which is under the finance ministry’s Prasarana Negara Bhd, started operating in Penang on July 31 last year.
Executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow, who oversees land-based public transportation, said part of the allocation would be channelled to a state-owned public bus company that would either offer direct services or privatise its operations to another bus company with a proven track record.
Either the service would complement current operations or a consortium would be created to amalgamate all bus companies to operate an effective, reliable and affordable service, he said.
In either instance, the state government would retain supervision and control of the operations.
A high-powered committee will be set up soon to explore these options. Chow said the people “have suffered enough” with poor public transportation.
Ong is supportive of the proposal because it would allow schedules, routes, fares and the ticketing system to be decided on the basis of localised needs. Issuance of permits to bus companies will remain in state hands.
Bus commuters are estimated to make up only eight percent or 136,000 of the 1.7 million people in the state.
Rapid Penang, KGN-Hin, Milan, Transit Link, United Traction Company, Park May Holdings, Rangkaian Setia, Lee Sin Hiang Pengangkutan Federal and Lean Hock Bagan Town Bus now provide services, with about 500 buses deployed across Penang.
However, they pointed out that a comprehensive master-plan must be drawn up and implemented if public transportation woes are to be resolved.
Bus Users Group coordinator BK Ong said the master-plan should include state control over the regulation and scheduling of bus services.Apart from amalgamation of bus companies under a consortium, the master-plan should consider the introduction of disabled-friendly buses and trams, servicing of ‘social routes’ and interior housing areas, and enforcement of the metered-taxi system.
“Only local leaders, not federal (leaders), would have in-depth knowledge of commuter requirements,” he said.
His remarks were made following the Pakatan Rakyat state government’s decision to utilise the RM50 million federal fund - left unused by the previous Barisan Nasional administration - to manage a state bus service.
Social-reform movement Aliran said the master-plan should be expanded to cover water-based transport services, a cross-channel rail link and improved traffic management systems.
Its treasurer Anil Netto also pointed out the need to discourage new mega infrastructure projects for private vehicles.
The proposed second Penang Bridge should be converted to a rail link now, since a highway would allow more vehicles to access the island where traffic is already congested.
“The money for Penang Bridge 2 should be diverted to introduce and upgrade various public transport modes,” said Anil.He suggested that the state government sets up a public transport commission comprising professionals, bus users and NGOs in drafting the master plan.
This, he said, should cater to the needs of pedestrians, tourists, senior citizens, the disabled and school children.
“The Penang bus service, once arguably among the best in the country, has become a much-loathed service over the past two decades,” he added.
“Penangites have pinned high hopes on the Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s government to revive it and provide better service to all.”
State control ‘important’
The federal government had allotted the money to former chief minister Koh Tsu Koon’s government to set up a bus company, to be known as Syarikat Bas Pulau Pinang Sdn Bhd.
Koh’s administration dropped the idea when RapidPenang, which is under the finance ministry’s Prasarana Negara Bhd, started operating in Penang on July 31 last year.
Executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow, who oversees land-based public transportation, said part of the allocation would be channelled to a state-owned public bus company that would either offer direct services or privatise its operations to another bus company with a proven track record.Either the service would complement current operations or a consortium would be created to amalgamate all bus companies to operate an effective, reliable and affordable service, he said.
In either instance, the state government would retain supervision and control of the operations.
A high-powered committee will be set up soon to explore these options. Chow said the people “have suffered enough” with poor public transportation.
Ong is supportive of the proposal because it would allow schedules, routes, fares and the ticketing system to be decided on the basis of localised needs. Issuance of permits to bus companies will remain in state hands.Bus commuters are estimated to make up only eight percent or 136,000 of the 1.7 million people in the state.
Rapid Penang, KGN-Hin, Milan, Transit Link, United Traction Company, Park May Holdings, Rangkaian Setia, Lee Sin Hiang Pengangkutan Federal and Lean Hock Bagan Town Bus now provide services, with about 500 buses deployed across Penang.
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