KUALA LUMPUR – Those in the transportation circle were unimpressed with Budget 2023 tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday.
The experts concluded that the allocations were more about catering to the road traffic networks and infrastructure projects rather than stimulating public transport growth and providing relief to the transportation sector.
Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association (PMBOA) president Datuk Mohamad Ashfar Ali said the budget didn’t allocate aid for the express bus industry and other transportation segments.
“Many operators have been operating at losses, and there is nothing for bus operators in this budget but quite a lot for public transport passengers.
“Operators are disappointed that the issues of shortage of bus and lorry drivers were not addressed. We had repeatedly requested with the past and present governments to set up a fund to provide free training for those wanting to be bus and lorry drivers,” Ashfar told The Vibes.
He said that PMBOA will again highlight the relevant outstanding issues with Transport Minister Anthony Loke next month.
Former international president of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Datuk Abd Radzak Abd Malek said for the budget to be seen as pro-public transport, “it should have allocations to improve the environmental, social and governance of operators to ensure sustainable financing of public transport infrastructure”.
The 2023 federal budget, he said, should have provided incentives to employers nationwide to subsidise employees’ public transport fares.
He asserted that the budget should support the initiative for clear communication on the public transport-first agenda and policy, including prioritising public transport vehicles in the central business district of major cities.
“This includes upgrades on amenities such as bus stops and pedestrian walkways to improve the comfort and safety of public transport commuters,” said Abd Radzak.
Transportation engineering professor Prof Datuk Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah noted that the endeavour for public transport improvement in many cities continues to be minimal.
The former Universiti Sains Malaysia deputy vice-chancellor also called for the government to provide greater assistance to state-owned firm Prasarana Malaysia Bhd to overhaul the old systems, especially the Kelana Jaya LRT line.
“Any further disruption to the popular (rail) lines will affect public confidence, and we definitely do not want the existing users to go back to their own transport. A similar scheme for the roads (in the budget) should have been channelled to public transport.
“And how are the transport policies and other public transport plans by Spad before and (carried) into the Land Public Transport Agency now to be realised if no allocation is given?” asked Farhan.
Wan Agyl Wan Hassan, former head of policy and planning of the Land Public Transport Commission (Spad), said the lack of funds for public transport promotions, including the omission of initiatives to spur low-carbon mobility, was evident.
“For example, where is the budget for public transportation infrastructure for Borneo? How about the efforts to encourage people to shift from private vehicle users to public transportation during peak hours such as tax rebates or incentives?” he enquired.
Wan Agyl, who possesses an academic background in urban and regional planning, transportation planning and transportation studies, claimed that the prime minister missed the opportunity to offer continuous solutions for the Stage Bus Service Transformation (SBST) programme.
“It has been common knowledge for quite a while, SBST is an interim measure. There has been no thinking on this matter about what’s next and the long-term plan for SBST throughout the country,” he relented. – The Vibes, February 25, 2023
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