Kuala Lumpur to make some streets #carfree once a month

New Straits Times: "KUALA LUMPUR: CITY folk welcome the "Go Green Car Free Morning" programme announced by  City Hall recently.
In the proposal, a 6km loop, starting from Jalan Dang Wangi to the Golden Triangle area via Jalan Ampang, Jalan P. Ramlee, Jalan Raja Chulan, Jalan Imbi, Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, will be closed to motorised traffic between 7.30am and 9.30am every first Sunday of the month."

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‘Congestion-Free Jakarta by 2030’

The Jakarta Globe: "The Jakarta administration pledged to make public transport the most used form of transportation in the city by 2030."

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Malaysia: Works minister proposes free buses to solve congestion

Building more highways will not address the issue of traffic congestion. Photo courtesy: Sin Chew Daily

Free bus vouchers to beat the jam | My Sinchew: ""Instead of giving fuel subsidies, we feel that we should offer free bus vouchers or discount cards to benefit the rakyat. The government is currently studying the feasibility of these measures while consulting the views of professionals. If public feedback is good, the government may implement these measures in the future.""

Large rail projects can be divisive, premature.

Rail projects should follow demand, not lead. Make buses free, and it will become obvious where to put rail.

‘Bullet train not economically viable’ | Free Malaysia Today: "PETALING JAYA: The government’s high speed rail link project between Malaysia and Singapore is not economically viable, Bukit Gasing assemblyman Rajiv Risyhakaran said today."

[Indonesia] Public transportation plan gains momentum

The Jakarta Post: "Wahyu said such a policy would not only help ease Jakarta’s traffic problems but also encourage officials and civil servants to set a good example to residents and express solidarity with those using public transportation, including Transjakarta and public minivans.

“City officials should not only speak about public transportation in the city being safe and comfortable. They should at least once a week take Transjakarta to their offices,” he said as quoted by tribunnews.com."

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Reclaiming our streets: Towards sustainable transport

The Malay Mail Online: "The government should invest to build up the public transport system and then use education, zoning regulations and price mechanisms to discourage private transport and decongest our roads and cities.

The development of the public transport system should be financed by the government as this would ensure it is affordable.

The public transport system should be disabled-friendly as well as senior citizen-friendly.

The public transport system should be run as democratic non-profit trusts on a regional basis, with the participation of elected members of the local communities, transport workers and local government.

A bus-based public transport system should be improved and promoted as it is much cheaper and faster to implement than MRTs.

The discouraging of private cars and the creation of a network of dedicated bus lanes in our cities should be a key strategy of the transport plan for our country.

Peoples’ participation in determining the future of public transport in Malaysia should be encouraged."

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The Malaysia that could have been

Free Malaysia Today: "Fallacy number 3: An impression of ease in transit in and around our capital city. If ever there was a plague in the Klang Valley, I would call it the “caronic plague,” in which the non-ownership of a car or personal mode of transport can be deemed handicapping or even paralyzing, depending on where one lives. As a non-owner of a car myself, and as such as a frequent rider of public transport, I can vouch with certainty how primitive our public transport system is compared to the other world-class cities I’ve lived in before.
Yes, buses can be delayed due to the rampant traffic jams in and around our capital, but if they were efficient and passenger-friendly to begin with, why the increasing need for cars and thus jams in the first place? And yes, the lack of proper route maps in every bus stop, vicinity maps in every railway station and visible signboards along every street serve even to confuse me whenever I venture out into a new area in the Klang Valley, all the more foreigners."

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Access to efficient public transport boosts tourism in Kuala Lumpur

My Sinchew: "Access to efficient public transportation such as the Light Rail Transit (LRT) trains, buses and taxis leading to shopping malls helps to boost tourism."

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Penang needs more #publictransit - congestion is too much

malaysiandigest: "Traffic congestion along the main roads in George Town and satellite towns such as Bayan Lepas, Air Itam and also in Bukit Mertajam on the mainland, is a growing problem that the PR state government has been grappling with.

The tram system is one of the proposed alternative public transport systems that the state hopes to implement but the authority to set up and licence a public transportation system lies under the Transport Ministry."

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Transjakarta buses "should focus on public services and not be burdened by revenue targets"

Waiting in vain: Bus users wait for Transjakarta buses at a bus stop in Grogol, West Jakarta, in May 2013. The buses often arrive late as many motorists use the dedicated lane to avoid traffic congestion. (JP/P.J. Leo)

The Jakarta Post: "Responding to that plan, Darmaningtyas said bus operations would improve because the bureaucratic process would be much shorter if the BLU became a BUMD. However, he said that if the administration and the council were serious about the plan, the enterprise should focus on public services and not be burdened by revenue targets."

South-East Asian capitals need more anti-traffic champs

This picture taken on Oct 22 shows motorists trapped in a rush hour gridlock in Jakarta. (AFP Photo)

Bangkok Post: news: "South-East Asia's congested capitals could use more anti-traffic champions such as Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo. When the Indonesian government gave tax breaks on low-cost "green cars" in June, Mr Widodo opposed the policy, saying it would sabotage his efforts to solve the city's chronic traffic problem."

Cars choking Jakarta - #publictransit very poor quality

AFP

Yahoo!7: "Resorting to the web is an act of desperation for drivers in the megacity of 10 million, branded the world's most unpleasant place to commute in a 2011 survey by consultancy Frost and Sullivan.

...Attempts by city authorities to reduce the number of vehicles, such as doubling the parking price, have largely proved ineffective. The latest initiative has seen officials deployed to let down the tyres of illegally parked cars and motorbikes.

Public transport, which mostly consists of run-down buses belching toxic black smoke and overloaded trains and minibuses, has proved an unattractive option for a fast-growing middle class that can now afford cars."

Cost of Jakarta traffic congestion estimated at USD 1 billion per year

Analysis Eurasia Review: "Concerns over traffic congestion are not without basis. Traffic congestion in Jakarta, usually during peak hours and the rainy season, has generated roughly US$ 1 billion loss per year. The figures comprise time value, fuel consumption and health costs. Since most of the vehicles use subsidised fuel, it also increases fuel imports that could threaten Indonesia’s energy security while incurring a trade deficit and increasing dependency on foreign oil supplies."

Penang Hop On Free Central Area Transit (CAT)

Penang Hop On Free Central Area Transit (CAT): "Visitors to Penang can now enjoy a bus ride within George Town, the UNESCO World Heritage City, for FREE.

The Hop On Free Central Area Transit (CAT) ply the route between Weld Quay Jetty and Komtar on 15-minute intervals from 6am-12midnight.

Exploring the grounds of the UNESCO World Heritage City has never been this convenient now with 19 CAT stops in between all the famous heritage landmarks of Penang!"

Thai Govt To Issue 'Free Transport Pass' For The Poor

Khaosod Online: "Although Mr. Chatchart said he would renew the program for another 6 months, he acknowledged that the scheme "did not pose the right answer to ease the burden of low-income earners".

He pointed out that under the current program the free buses do not run in every route, and well-off passengers and foreign tourists can also take advantage of the program, whereas the intention of the program is to specifically help the poorer population."

Bangkok extends free bus and 3rd-class rail program for another 6 months

Cabinet extends free third-class bus and train travel scheme | Bangkok Post: breakingnews: "The cabinet on Tuesday approved the extension of limited free travel on city buses and third-class trains for another six months, to help offset the rising cost of living, reports said.

The extension is from Oct 1 to March 31, 2014.

The free bus travel is provided by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA), with 800 ordinary buses per day on 73 routes in the capital city and nearby provinces.

Some third-class carriages on interprovincial trains are also designated for free travel."

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Commuting in Jakarta, Indonesia

The Jakarta Post: "While many Jakartans are lucky enough to sit comfortably in their own cars, millions commute almost everyday with various modes of transportation that might lack in safety. "

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Indonesia's Cheap Cars Policy Contradicts Public Transport Development

BERNAMA : ""The problem of traffic congestion will increase with the implementation of the cheap car policy," said Supandi.

According to him, cheap car regulations need to be immediately discussed and applied in Bekasi.

"The cheap car policy should have special regulations. Without regulations, the cheap car policy will create a lot of problems," he said."

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Cars get much more than their fair share of transportation funding

Public transport advocate solicits ideas to break ‘car culture’ in Penang: "GEORGE TOWN, Sept 23 — A predilection for cars means that 80 per cent of transport funding is used to cater for the needs of 20 per cent of society, according to a public transport proponent today.

...According to Britton, Penang’s transport system is “over-built” and “poorly used” as most infrastructure was catered to those who travel by cars.

...He said if Penang were to continue to be driven by its fast-paced automobile industry, it will soon end up as a city that is not only unsustainable but also not liveable."

See more at:  Malay Mail

Bangkok promoting #publictransit on #carfree day

Leave your cars at home! | Bangkok Post: news: "With the purchase of a pin, people will be allowed to board all types of public transportation in the city _ BTS, MRT, Airport Rail Link, city passenger buses, BRT buses, Chao Phraya express boats, public rental bikes, and city tour shuttle buses in Rattanakosin Island _ without any additional costs, starting from 6am until midnight on Sept 22."

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Malaysia, fuel price hikes as usual, accompanied by empty promises of more public transport

Revisiting a nightmare | Free Malaysia Today: "Many ordinary citizens interviewed by the press accused the BN government of habitually reneging on its promise to improve the public transport system, which it would repeat every time it announced an increase in fuel prices.
“Now it is time to make the government accountable,” said an anonymous commentator. “Our government should show transparency and accountability by making available to the Malaysian public an annual expenditure report to be tabled in Parliament which shows how the savings of RM3.3 billion or RM4.4 billion were being spent.
“Malaysians are tired of listening to empty promises and sweeping claims and justifications. We want every sen accountable by the government.”
But little has changed even now. Today, with a new hike in fuel prices, we are hearing practically the same words again from the government."

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Effects of #peakoil in Malaysia

Free Malaysia Today: "Already it has been reported recently that new houses prices are expected to be increased by 10% partly due to rising transportation cost and various bus and transportation associations have already announced rising freight cost which will be passed to the consumers."

What is your dream for Malaysia?

Free Malaysia Today: "“I dream that one day Malaysia will have efficient and accessible public transport system from both Perlis to Johor and Kuching to Lahad Datu.”"

You too can share your dreams with similarly hopeful Malaysians at http://dreammalaysia.tumblr.com

Jarkarta to change all stations into an integrated system

City to change all stations into an integrated system | The Jakarta Post: "The agency planned to provide 19 feeder bus routes connecting Depok, Bogor and Bekasi in West Java and Tangerang in Banten to the city’s commercial areas such as Blok M in South Jakarta, Grogol in West Jakarta and Senen in Central Jakarta.

“We are now operating seven of them,” he said in a discussion on integrated transportation held by the Associate of Indonesian Architects."

Jakarta #carfree Sunday - Imagine the city with no cars!

"What if everyday was #carfree sunday? #Jakarta @ICMACityLinks pic.twitter.com/vYpdHGMbAe"

Government investing in park-and-ride, repeating sprawl-promoting mistake of USA

More parking bays for commuters - Nation | The Star Online: "In announcing this, the Railway Asset Corporation (RAC), a corporation under the purview of the Transport Ministry, said the success was due to the development of more than 5,000 new parking bays at Komuter rail stations."

Indonesians Cope With Infuriating Traffic and Inefficient Public Transit

Four year wait for metro to be built. Why not free buses in the interim?

NYTimes.com: "horrific traffic and an inefficient public transportation system condemn many people to sitting in cars, buses and minivans or on motorcycles for four hours a day or longer, year-round."

‘Household debt soaring due to cost of living’

Free Malaysia Today: "“What we need is an efficient public transport system to reduce congestion in the city,” she said."

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Selangor committee to study ways boost state's public transportation usage

The Star Online: "KLANG:  A high-level committee headed by Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim will be set up to study ways to boost the usage of public transportation in the state.

The committee's objective is to reduce the number of private vehicles on the road, thus reducing the level of traffic congestion, said Khalid."

Mad, reckless, race for last profits, as cheap oil has peaked

The Washington Post: "BANGKOK — Workers in white suits used buckets to scoop up globs of crude oil blackening the once white sands and emerald waters of a tourist island in Thailand’s eastern sea on Tuesday, as the oil slick continued to spread three days after leaking from a nearby pipeline."

Compare the costs, #freetransit vs USD 60 trillion for melting arctic

JOSH HANER/THE NEW YORK TIMES/REDUX/EYEVINE

Bubbles of methane emerge from sediments below a frozen Alaskan lake.

Climate science: Vast costs of Arctic change : Nature : Nature Publishing Group: "We calculate that the costs of a melting Arctic will be huge, because the region is pivotal to the functioning of Earth systems such as oceans and the climate. The release of methane from thawing permafrost beneath the East Siberian Sea, off northern Russia, alone comes with an average global price tag of $60 trillion in the absence of mitigating action — a figure comparable to the size of the world economy in 2012 (about $70 trillion). The total cost of Arctic change will be much higher."

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Unreliable #publictransit forces workers to turn to cars

Free Malaysia Today: "Commuters are people who need to get to work on time, and if they are delayed due to the public transport, the transportation companies will not take the blame."

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Kota Kinabalu city center to be #carfree with new bus plan

The Star Online: "The terminals would serve buses operating to areas north, south and east of the the state capital. Once operational by October 2015, only shuttle and city buses would be allowed to enter the city centre."

Bangkok to join Car Free Day on 22-September

Bangkok Post: "Bangkok will join World Car Free Day on Sept 22, City Hall spokeswoman Tridao Apaiwong said Tuesday.

Ms Tridao said Bangkok Car Free Day activities are intended to encourage the use of public transport or bicycles instead of driving."

Cambodia considering major #publictransit investment

The Cambodia Daily: "JICA’s study seeks to find the best long-term solutions for reducing traffic jams and accidents in the gridlocked capital, and once the study is finished, the municipal government will then implement the project with funds from the municipal budget, or if it cannot afford it, seek development partners, Mr. Sophan said."

Bangkok to celebrate #carfree day

Pattaya Mail: "The BMA has called a meeting with officials from the Traffic and Transportation Department and representatives of the civil sector regarding preparations for the upcoming Bangkok Car Free Day event, which will be held on the occasion of World Car Free Day, September 22. According to the BMA, the purpose of this special occasion is to encourage Bangkok commuters to turn to cycling, walking as well as using public transportation instead of driving personal cars."

Burma needs more buses

Public transport at heart of city plan for Yangon, says JICA: "“My opinion on the bus transport network in Yangon [is that] there are not enough buses and there’s a need for greater safety for commuters,” he said. “Commuters are complaining daily of the long waits and crowded buses. There are also not enough traffic lights at junctions.”

He said rapid increases in the number of vehicles on the road – as well as infrastructure projects to widen roads, build flyovers and reconfigure intersections – have combined to create huge traffic jams."

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Malaysia plans to revive public transport to be more like Singapore, Hong Kong

Well-planned land transport network can boost Greater KL area: "While this is a positive aspiration, alarmingly, the masterplan identifies that in recent decades the mode share of land public transport in the morning peak has fallen from 34% in the 1980s to 10%-12% in 2008.

“This share is relatively low compared to other international cities such as Hong Kong at 90%, Singapore at 63%, and London at 55%."

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Cars are a bad way to move people

Public transport system transformation heads for better quality of life: "To illustrate this point, in order to move 50,000 people per hour, in one direction it would require a road 175m wide flowing with cars. If you used buses instead, you would need a road only 35m wide and a smaller 9m wide track for a metro or rail-based transportation.

So, if one moves away from the thinking of increasing the number of vehicles to move people and start thinking about moving people instead, they would see the true value of building a good public transport network along with all of the other positive benefits to the environment."

Fuel subsidies sucking blood from Indonesian economy

Businessweek: "In his annual budget announced in August, the president allocated 274.7 trillion rupiah for energy subsidies, compared with 184.4 trillion rupiah for capital spending. The country spent 211.9 trillion rupiah on fuel subsidies in 2012."

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The dirty fossil fuel secret behind Burma's democratic fairytale | Nafeez Ahmed | Environment | guardian.co.uk

The dirty fossil fuel secret behind Burma's democratic fairytale | Nafeez Ahmed | Environment | guardian.co.uk: "New evidence has emerged that the systematic violence against ethnic Rohingya in Burma - "described as genocidal by some experts" - is being actively supported by state agencies. But the violence's links to the country's ambitions to rapidly expand fossil fuel production, at massive cost to local populations and to the environment, have been largely overlooked."

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Malaysia: BN criticized as ineffective on public transport

Free Malaysia Today: "Take, for example, the issue of enhancing public transport. Tearing down buildings to make way for more train stations is not going to solve the problem until and unless the country’s public transport operators start paying respect to time and swear upon punctuality.

Ask any commuter of the Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) train services to rate the service provided and the reply will only be a sigh for KTM is notoriously lousy when it comes to punctuality.

Is the BN government not aware of the unsatisfactory service given by KTM to the rakyat? If it is, why then was there no improvement from 2008 until the country went into election mode?"

Malaysia - Public transport a huge issue in election

Najib cites improved public transport as reason to vote BN @ Sun Apr 14 2013: "KUALA LUMPUR, April 14 — Pitching for his first personal mandate, Datuk Seri Najib Razak cited today the "stark" improvement in public transportation by his government as a reason to support Barisan Nasional (BN) in the May 5 polls."

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Indonesia fuel subsidy encourages waste

Subsidized Fuel Use Continues to Soar | The Jakarta Globe: "The energy and mineral resources minister, Jero Wacik, said on Thursday that the monthly consumption of subsidized fuel quota was 6 percent more than the quota set during the January-March period. The minister cited the “wasteful” lifestyle of Indonesians as the main cause. "

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Malaysia election: Motorists looking forward to improved public transportation

Malaysia election: Motorists looking forward to improved public transportation: "PETALING JAYA - Bandar Tun Hussein Onn resident Yunus Muhammad cannot wait for the day when he can take the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) to work."

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Malaysia - big promises being made about #publictransit

My Sinchew: "KUALA LUMPUR, April 6 (Bernama) -- The Barisan Nasional (BN) is committed to providing greater efficiency in public transportation for the people, with plans to expand the Rapid Bus System to every state capital, complete with facilities for the aged and the disabled."

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Malaysia - cars waste our time

A beautiful encounter with a local taxi driver - Malaysiakini: "We say we want peace, we want prosperity, we want a high quality of life. But how can we gain peace when we risk being terrified, risk losing our belongings and even lives for only walking on the road? How can we get prosperity and a high quality of life if the public transport system is so hopeless that everyone has to waste his or her life that could have been spent productively elsewhere than in a traffic jam? "

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Singapore tries to calm capitalist panic over #degrowth

PM: S'pore still pro-business: "Growth, however, will slow as the country goes for qualitative change in restructuring its maturing economy, he added."

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Jakarta, Indonesia, pressure grows on governor to address traffic problems

Get Your Act Together, Jokowi Told | The Jakarta Globe: "He said that many ideas launched by the governor and his deputy, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, had not been followed up, such as the mass rapid transit system and the rejuvenation of public transportation.
"

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สำนักข่่าวแห่งชาติ : [Thailand] Free public bus & train services to continue for 6 more months

สำนักข่่าวแห่งชาติ: "BANGKOK, 31 March 2013 (NNT) - The mobile Cabinet meeting has decided to extend the free transport service, intended for low-income public, for another six months.

Government Spokesman Tossaporn Serirak said on Sunday the assistance measures, previously scheduled to end in March, will be extended until the end of September instead.

The free service includes public buses and third-class train rides."

Indonesia should ban all private cars from using subsidized fuel: adviser - chicagotribune.com

Indonesia should ban all private cars from using subsidized fuel: adviser - chicagotribune.com: "TANJUNG BENOA, Indonesia (Reuters) - Indonesia should slap a nationwide ban on the use of subsidized fuel by the country's 11 million private cars, a move that would save the government $8.6 billion this year and erase a widening fiscal deficit, a presidential adviser said.
"

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Rohingya being ethnically cleansed to enable oil pipelines

Burma: pipeline plans behind Rohingya cleansing?: "Much of the violence has been in the port of Sittwe, which is to be the starting point for the new Shwe pipeline project due to open later this year. The Shwe pipeline will allow oil from the Persian Gulf states and Africa to be pumped to China, bypassing a slower shipping route through the Strait of Malacca. It will also ship gas from Arakan's offshore fields to southwest China."

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Penang - More roads will lead to more traffic congestion

Penangites back mega projects, claims CM | Free Malaysia Today:
Precisely, the congestion of traffic is not about building more roads but ensuring that cars are controlled. For as long as cars are easily made available, congestion will be eminent. Face the reality, everyone knows the cause of traffic congestion and everyone knows that no matter how many roads are built, congestion will occur at busy locations as cars will bottlenecked at entry points
シンガポール の温泉

Jakarta, Indonesia, choked by cars, desperately seeking a solution

Heavy traffic congestion is seen at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in Central Jakarta in this May 2012 file photo. (JG Photo/Safir Makki)

Basuki Says Odd-Even Traffic Scheme May Be Canceled | The Jakarta Globe: "The Jakarta government on Tuesday said that the delayed odd-even license plate scheme might not go ahead and instead be replaced by the electronic road pricing system. "

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Bangkok chose to build highways and now has buyers remorse

Public must back loan plan | Bangkok Post: opinion: "In the past when traffic congestion became serious, instead of investing in mass transit systems, previous governments decided to invest in expressways, which only encouraged more private cars and worsened the traffic problem."

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Singapore should go the way of free public transport

Govt not decided yet on off-peak free train rides - Channel NewsAsia: "'There is a group that is very keen for us to offer free travel. And they think that it is a way to show that the government is truly committed to doing all that is possible to ease the congestion.'

...Mr Lui said the idea is to improve the public transportation network so that there is less of a need to own cars."

Thailand car-purchase subsidy does more harm than good

Govt's first-car scheme slammed on social media - The Nation: "@zhanpisshu said the government could have launched a proper public bus service instead of offering people a tax rebate on their first car, while @Oam_Oamm just put it down to pure and simple consumerism, saying it does nothing for the country's development. "

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Kuala Lumpur - Carbon-Free Sunday celebrated

Promoting the use of public transport - Central - New Straits Times: "KUALA LUMPUR: THE dream to see more people using eco-friendly means of transport had  prompted the   youth in Bangsar to organise a carbon-free day  they called Carbon-Free Sunday."

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Public transport riding high - General - New Straits Times

Public transport riding high - General - New Straits Times: "Another focus area was the issue of congested roads and inefficient bus service because of the lack of qualified drivers and equipment problems.
However, the problems were gradually addressed through the introduction of 470 new RapidKL buses, resulting in 4.04 million more passengers last year compared with 2011."

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Corrupt logging elites are merely responding to demand. #itsthedemand

Corruption in Malaysia laid bare as investigation catches Sarawak’s ruling elite on camera | Global Witness: "Sarawak still exports more tropical logs than South America and Africa combined, despite having just five per cent of its forests left intact after decades of industrial logging and plantation development. Sarawak’s Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud has ruled the state for over three decades and controls all land allocation and forestry licensing. He is widely understood to abuse this power to enrich his family and associates."

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Indonesia saddled with USD 21B fuel subsidy

Editorial: We Must Defuse the Subsidy Time Bomb | The Jakarta Globe: "As the global price of oil rises, Indonesia’s ability to afford its fuel subsidies will be severely tested.

The government is already under severe pressure to keep the budget deficit from ballooning and to reverse a growing trade deficit.

Subsidies are draining away funds that could be better used securing the country’s long-term economic future and improving people’s livelihoods. "

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Penang: Congestion suffocating economy - public transport needed

Guan Eng’s ‘ego’ irks BN leader | Free Malaysia Today: "Do not hastily overlook the importance of public transport, Azhar said, adding that having more vehicles on the roads here courtesy of the tunnel, would result in another episode of traffic congestions.
Lim had previously blamed the federal government for their unwillingness to cooperate on improving public transport and due to traffic becoming worst in recent times, the state is now forced to find its own measures to overcome the congestion."

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Kuala Lumpur free bus a huge success

GTP plans to revive public transport system right on track - Nation | The Star Online: "But with the setting up of Urban Public Transport as one of the National Key Result Areas of the GTP, plans to revive public transport as a feasible and top mode of travelling appear to be on track.

Heading the agenda is the GoKL free bus service that has tongues wagging. It even got a special mention on travel website TripAdvisor."

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Malaysia - People want free public transport

Commuters divided over waking up early for free rides - World Updates | The Star Online: "JUST under half of commuters said they would get up earlier if it meant they could get a free bus or train ride to work, a straw poll by The Straits Times found.

Forty-five per cent said they would be willing to change their travel pattern if such a scheme was set up to avoid the peak-hour crush.

Many cited cost savings of up to S$40 (RM100) a month as the motivation to leave home earlier."

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ETP to attract local, foreign investors to M'sian property sector

ETP to attract local, foreign investors to M'sian property sector: "“Public transport will be key to liveability in city hubs, as otherwise, the city would be choked by the increasing number of cars,” he said."

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MPs back call for free off-peak travel on public transport - Channel NewsAsia

MPs back call for free off-peak travel on public transport - Channel NewsAsia: "SINGAPORE: Day Two of the Budget Debate in Parliament saw several MPs rising in support of a proposal to grant commuters free travel on public transport during off-peak periods.

One MP even called for a freeze in fare increases until service levels improve.

The House on Wednesday also heard some impassioned calls to help workers and companies struggling with the pace of restructuring."

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Singapore #freetransit advocate speaks up

File photo of an SMRT train pulling up alongside a platform station in Singapore. 

MP proposes free travel on public transport before peak hours - Channel NewsAsia: "INGAPORE: Member of Parliament for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC Janil Puthucheary has raised the idea of free travel on public transport before peak hours to change their travel patterns.

Speaking during the Budget debate in Parliament on Tuesday, Dr Puthucheary urged public transport operators to consider providing commuters free travel within a certain time period outside rush hour. This could reduce the crush during peak hour travel.

Dr Puthucheary noted that currently train operators give discounts to encourage commuters to travel early.

He said: "If we can afford it, have all travel on public transport until the start of peak hour, free? If that's too great a leap, then maybe for example, every weekday morning for 30 minutes or an hour, ending at 7.45am, commuters can travel for free.

"Will this distort behaviour? Yes, that's the whole point. This will attract more people to change their travel patterns, compared to any discount."
"

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Trams chosen for Penang instead of monorail

Guan Eng: Monorail in Penang unfeasible | Free Malaysia Today: "GEORGE TOWN: Barisan Nasional’s promise to implement a monorail project in Penang will not materialise even if the coalition regained the Penang government, said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
Instead, he said his government’s proposed tram system was the right answer to improve Penang’s public transportation and ease traffic congestion."

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Malaysia #freetransit advocates speaking up

Penang's RM8 bil Road & Tunnel project: Contradictions start to appear: "Second, what have Lim and his officers done to follow up on the request to Rapid Penang to provide free shuttle during peak hours? It is too early to assume that the federal government would reject the state government's request to run its own public bus system. Any rejection or sort would create a larger political repercussion to the BN federal government. If Lim is serious, some of us would gladly offer our help and assistance to convey and submit his formal request to SPAD and the Ministry of Transport for further consideration."

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Ho Chi Minh City to invest big in buses

SGGP English Edition- City plans buses as major means of public transport: "Ho Chi Minh City plans to maintain an efficient fleet of buses as the major means of public transport by 2020, according to a proposal for a master plan by the Department of Transport. "

Bangkok auto-purchase subsidy creates traffic nightmare

Traffic tops governor's to-do list | Bangkok Post: breakingnews: "Hundreds of thousands of new cars have hit the streets in the wake of the government's wildly successful tax-rebate programme for first-car buyers. Some longtime residents believe traffic is as bad as in the mid-1990s before the capital had any mass transit."

Forestry official: Indonesia should extend moratorium on new forest concessions

Forestry official: Indonesia should extend moratorium on new forest concessions: "Despite opposition from the powerful palm oil industry, Indonesia should extend its two-year moratorium on new logging and agricultural concessions in carbon-dense peatlands and forests, said a top forestry official. "

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Indonesia floods - its #climatechange caused by cars

Five star flood

17 January: A luxury hotel is surrounded by floodwater.

http://www.aljazeera.com/weather/2013/01/201311783336137576.html?

Malaysia petroleum project destroying communities

Main - Malaysia - Cops say Pengerang family deaths due to depression, not RAPID @ Thu Jan 03 2013: "He said he was told by residents that the family had received a notice informing them their home was being acquired for the RAPID project and they would receive only RM20,000 in compensation as the land on which their house was built was owned by another.

The RAPID project is expected to turn Pengerang into a boom town for global petroleum investors"

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