Tough time need tough solution for Penang's traffic jams
Many Penang people are thinking tough now to solve Penang's problems especially traffic jams. One blogger here suggest to start a lottery to get the fund to improve our publc transports-since the state government is constitutionally prohibited from making any loans; Anyone below suggest to introduce road pricing within city areas. More ideas are welcome! The Bus Users Group will be holding a meeting soon for Penangites to brainstorm on practical and doable solutions to improve Penang's public transports. Anyone interested can call me at 013-5900339(Ong)
NST Online » Letters
2008/07/21
NST Online » Letters
2008/07/21
Penang congestion: Use a more innovative approach
By : POLA SINGH, Kuala Lumpur
Introducing a road-pricing scheme is one way to address the growing traffic congestion in George Town.
Introducing a road-pricing scheme is one way to address the growing traffic congestion in George Town.
IN view of the non-availability of funds for the monorail and outer ring road projects in Penang, the state government should now think of innovative ways of addressing the growing traffic congestion in George Town.
Aside from improving the public transport system, the government may want to consider, owing to the state's land constraints, restricting the number of vehicles on the road during peak hours. One way of doing this would be to forbid vehicles with registration numbers ending in odd numbers from using the roads on certain days of the week and likewise for those vehicles with even numbers.
Another way would be to introduce a road-pricing scheme, as practised in London and Singapore. Fewer vehicles on the road translates into faster traffic flow. The higher speed not only shortens travelling time from one point to another but also leads to fuel savings that, in turn, means less emissions.
These are extraordinary times and extraordinary efforts are required. Given the current situation, the Penang government has limited options to improve the transport system in the city. It has to now take measures that will no doubt cause a bit of hardship and inconvenience to vehicle owners in the short-term.