Congestion fee mulled to cut traffic in Kuala Lumpur
Sunday, September 23, 2007
IN an effort to reduce traffic congestion in Kuala Lumpur, the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) will discuss with the Federal Territories Ministry a proposal to introduce congestion fee on motorists.
Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Abdul Hakim Borhan said the discussion would be held before end of the year, following which a paper on the proposal would be submitted to the Special Cabinet Committee on Public Transportation, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, early next year.
"The public may object to the proposal initially, but they will accept it after they realise that the system will improve traffic condition in the city," he told reporters after visiting the Stockholm Traffic Control Centre here yesterday.
Earlier, he was briefed by Stockholm Traffic Manager Henrik Sundquist on how the congestion fee was implemented in the city and eventually accepted.
"There were protests when the system was first implemented in Stockholm. but after a six-month trial run, it yielded results. There is no more objection to the implementation of the congestion fee," said Abdul Hakim.
He said the way the system was implemented in Stockholm was simple where vehicles on certain streets would have their registration numbers recorded and the drivers would then have to go to a bank or the 7-11 outlet to pay the congestion fee.
He said the drivers were given two weeks to pay the fee, failure to do so means a stiff fine will be imposed. Abdul Hakim said the proposed system would not be implemented in all areas in Kuala Lumpur.
It would be carried out only at certain locations to discourage private vehicles from entering the city centre.
He said two million vehicles ply the city daily.
He said that Kuala Lumpur recorded a traffic growth of 10 to 15 per cent every year.
However, Abdul Hakim said efforts would continue to be made to improve public transportation system, including those provided by Syarikat Prasarana Negara and the Light Rail Transit (LRT) system.
Bernama
Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Abdul Hakim Borhan said the discussion would be held before end of the year, following which a paper on the proposal would be submitted to the Special Cabinet Committee on Public Transportation, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, early next year.
"The public may object to the proposal initially, but they will accept it after they realise that the system will improve traffic condition in the city," he told reporters after visiting the Stockholm Traffic Control Centre here yesterday.
Earlier, he was briefed by Stockholm Traffic Manager Henrik Sundquist on how the congestion fee was implemented in the city and eventually accepted.
"There were protests when the system was first implemented in Stockholm. but after a six-month trial run, it yielded results. There is no more objection to the implementation of the congestion fee," said Abdul Hakim.
He said the way the system was implemented in Stockholm was simple where vehicles on certain streets would have their registration numbers recorded and the drivers would then have to go to a bank or the 7-11 outlet to pay the congestion fee.
He said the drivers were given two weeks to pay the fee, failure to do so means a stiff fine will be imposed. Abdul Hakim said the proposed system would not be implemented in all areas in Kuala Lumpur.
It would be carried out only at certain locations to discourage private vehicles from entering the city centre.
He said two million vehicles ply the city daily.
He said that Kuala Lumpur recorded a traffic growth of 10 to 15 per cent every year.
However, Abdul Hakim said efforts would continue to be made to improve public transportation system, including those provided by Syarikat Prasarana Negara and the Light Rail Transit (LRT) system.
Bernama
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