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KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 16): The Ministry of Transport is intensifying efforts to expedite the opening of the Light Rail Transit Line 3 (LRT3), connecting Shah Alam and its surrounding areas to help ease traffic congestion in the Klang Valley.
Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook (pictured) said the move is crucial for providing commuters with more public transport options, while acknowledging the significant challenges arising from the sharp increase in private vehicles on the roads.
“We will continue efforts at the ministry level over the next few months to expedite and open the LRT3.
“This is part of our mitigation measures to offer passengers more transport options,” he told a press conference after handing over souvenirs to passengers of Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration at KL Sentral here on Saturday.
Also present was KTMB chairman Datuk Ahmad Redza Abdullah.
Commenting further on congestion, particularly during festive seasons, Loke said all parties need to understand the reality of the daily increase in vehicle numbers.
He noted that vehicle sales in Malaysia last year reached a very high 820,000 units, making the country the largest vehicle market in Southeast Asia, surpassing Indonesia and Thailand.
“Mitigation is always carried out during festive seasons. But we must recognise that the number of vehicles grows every day. Last year alone, 820,000 vehicles were sold in the country.
“At present, there is no policy to control vehicle numbers. So if I were to propose measures such as an end-of-life vehicle disposal policy, it could create other issues and complaints,” he said.
Loke added that while the government has yet to implement any policy to regulate vehicle numbers, the matter requires serious long-term consideration.
Meanwhile, he said that in conjunction with the Chinese New Year and with the addition of three new Electric Train Service 3 (ETS3) sets, KTMB is providing 16 additional ETS trips.
This brings the total number of ETS services operating daily throughout the festive period to 58 trips.
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