KUALA LUMPUR: A transport analyst has welcomed the 2025 Budget measures for public transportation, saying they were a step in the right direction.
Wan Agyl Wan Hassan said the allocations for the procurement of 250 electric buses for Prasarana, the construction of several dedicated bus lanes in KL, the procurement of electric train cars, and the continuation of the My50 pass were also a plus for the environment.
"Unlike electric vehicles (EVs), electric buses and trains can accommodate thousands of passengers daily, providing a more affordable, cleaner, and less congested transport option for everyone," he told the New Straits Times.
"Take Shenzhen, China, as an example. They've electrified their entire public bus fleet, improving air quality and reducing emissions," said Wan Agyl of transport think tank, My Mobility Vision.
Wan Agyl said Shenzen faced similar challenges to Malaysia does now, like infrastructure costs.
However, through government support, private partnerships and clear policies, the city was able to succeed in electrifying public transport.
"The budget measures are a fantastic first step towards that. I believe we can build on this and work towards the greater electrification of our public transport."
He said it was encouraging that the government planned to upgrade 100 bus stops in the Klang Valley which will go well with the dedicated bus lanes along Jalan Ipoh, Jalan Cheras and Jalan Gombak.
The measure could help solve the last-mile challenge for many living in those areas.
"Cities like Bogotá, Colombia, invested in Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and saw major drops in congestion and better accessibility for everyone.
"We should look at these successes and scale up investments in similar ways," he said, adding the goal was to ensure public transport is accessible, reliable and comfortable.
Wan Agyl said that moving forward, institutional reforms, including having a centralised transportation authority would complement the government's efforts to improve public transport.
He said such a body could bring all the different public transport systems in Malaysia under one roof for better coordination and efficiency.
"We had something like this with the now-defunct Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD).
"Bringing back an entity like SPAD could help us address inefficiencies, ensure that investments are aligned with our public mobility goals, and create a common vision for urban transport in Malaysia."