Kuching, Malaysia should ‘Focus on improving public transport’

The Star Online: "KUCHING: If Kuching is to be made more competitive as envisioned in the 11th Malaysia Plan, the authorities should emphasise public transport more, said residents.

“We can’t be a competitive city with poor public transport. That would be ironic and counterproductive,” said Sonia Luhong.

The graphic designer added that reliable public transport would reduce pollution and dependence on personal vehicles and increase mobility for city folk and tourists.

“I’m looking forward to Malaysia setting a positive example and maybe even a new benchmark for public transportation in the region,” said Luhong, 25, in response to Kuching's inclusion in the 11MP’s strategy of investing in competitive cities."

"Expressways move vehicles and not people" -- Selangor Chief Minister

The Star Online : "BANTING: The Selangor state government cancelled the Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex) project because it offered no improvement to the public transportation system, said Azmin Ali.

The state Menteri Besar said building expressways did not decrease the use of private vehicles.

"Expressways move vehicles and not people. I want a public transportation system that can move the people around.

"Traffic congestion problems will still be there regardless of how many highways are built," he said after launching the SegiFresh2u online retail service here Sunday."

Vietnam cities increasingly choked by traffic and pollution

Guardian: "Although two-thirds of Vietnam’s population live in rural areas, its two major cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, are increasingly choked by traffic and pollution. By some estimates, Hanoi is the most polluted city in south-east Asia, with concentrations of carcinogenic particles often measuring twice the recognised safe levels. The pollution is made worse by a huge annual increase in numbers of cars and motorcycles, while public transport remains inadequate."

We want to move the people, not the machine(s)

Malay Mail Online: "“We want to move the people, not the machine(s),” Azmin told reporters here.

“Is highway the only option? Of course we are looking at developed nations that are also looking at other public transportation options such as LRT (Light Rail Transit), BRT (Bus Rapid Transit), trams and this need(s) to be given focus,” he added."

Buses jammed, highways jammed. Population is blamed. Solution: #freetransit

Al Jazeera English: "Transport facilities have long lost their battle with exploding demand.
Even the most polite people turn into animal-like creatures when a bus or train arrives. Something that might have looked like a queue disappears instantly and the best and most aggressive pushers are getting on board. Unless every inch inside the vehicle is taken already.

I have learned this the hard way. Trying to be polite will cost you many hours of waiting on a weekly basis. The only real queues are the long lines of cars queuing patiently day-in, day-out on nearly every stretch of road in every major city. Yes, it is that bad."

Buy buses, not planes says MP

Free Malaysia Today: "JOHOR BAHRU: The federal government has been urged to pay for buses instead of paying for road construction.
If the government is so rich as to be able to purchase a new executive jet, there was no reason why buses cannot be subsidised by the government, said Liew Chin Tong, MP for Kluang.
He said new ideas were needed for public transport, as a social good. “The more people using public transport means fewer people driving on the road,” he said. “We need a paradigm shift from the government paying for road construction to the government paying for buses.”"

Oil extraction in Southeast Asia

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