KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 9 — The Transport Ministry will be carrying out stricter enforcement on road users for using the special lane for buses.
Its minister Anthony Loke said this will ensure the special bus lane is not exploited by other motorists.
It is also part of the government's efforts to ensure public transport, especially bus services, becomes one of the main choices among the people.
"My approach has always been carrot and stick. If the carrot (benefit) does not entice them, we will use the stick (enforcement). People prefer not to take buses because there is a possibility they will be stuck in traffic jams and the frequency is unpredictable.
"That is why we are putting much effort into introducing bus lanes. We have two bus lanes currently Jalan Ampang and Jalan Genting Klang.
"If these two corridors are successful, we are looking to having more," he said during a press conference after presenting the 2023 Performance Report and 2024 Prasarana Malaysia Berhad (Prasarana) plan at Menara UOA today.
Earlier, when presenting the report, Loke said the average number of passengers targeted this year is 285,000 passengers, an increase of 18 per cent compared to 241,000 passengers in 2023.
The ministry is working with the local authorities to implement the proof of concept process for the expansion of two special bus routes in the Klang Valley district involving Jalan Ampang and Jalan Klang Lama to Jalan Puchong, including Jalan Burma, Penang.
In addition, Prasarana also aims to upgrade 117 bus stops, 11 pedestrian walkways, and 15 bus hubs for this year.
In the meantime, he said the ministry has set a new policy for Prasarana to purchase electric buses from 2025 to increase green vehicles (green mobility) usage in line with the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR).
"Next year, we will try to purchase new buses in the direction of EV buses. There was just another new purchase involving 310 diesel buses, and I have told Prasarana this will be the last purchase of diesel buses.
"After that, the procurement of buses is towards EV buses," Loke said.
— Bernama
