Traffic and Urban Issues in Traffic and Urban Issues in PenangPenang

By S P Choong.By S P Choong.

Coordinator STEP and CEPATCoordinator STEP and CEPAT

People’s Forum, 13 April People’s Forum, 13 April 2008.2008.

Disted College Penang.Disted College Penang.

1.Background. 1.Background.

Sustainable Transport Environment Sustainable Transport Environment for Penang (STEP) is a people’s for Penang (STEP) is a people’s movement, an outcome of the SPI movement, an outcome of the SPI project implemented by SERI (1997-project implemented by SERI (1997-1999). 1999).

Series of roundtable dialogues w Series of roundtable dialogues w many NGO’s and cultural groups to many NGO’s and cultural groups to identify the factors for Sustainable identify the factors for Sustainable Development in Penang. 1997-1999.Development in Penang. 1997-1999.

2. STEP to CEPAT 2. STEP to CEPAT

Inertia of the Government. authorities forced Inertia of the Government. authorities forced STEP to build a stronger and more aggressive STEP to build a stronger and more aggressive coalition coalition

CEPAT consisted of 25 NGO’s sharing same CEPAT consisted of 25 NGO’s sharing same concerns in 2005 concerns in 2005

Working with Dato’ Dr Teng Hock Nan as Working with Dato’ Dr Teng Hock Nan as Ex-Co in charge of Traffic management over 8 Ex-Co in charge of Traffic management over 8

years.years. Facing the same issues over and over again.Facing the same issues over and over again. See latest bus crisis in Komtar and CVLB’s See latest bus crisis in Komtar and CVLB’s

replyreply

2a . Strategy Change2a . Strategy Change

In December 2005, a In December 2005, a Strategy Strategy Change, STEPChange, STEP together with CAP, together with CAP, SAM, MNS, Aliran and others became SAM, MNS, Aliran and others became CEPAT (coalition of 25 NGO’s). CEPAT (coalition of 25 NGO’s).

Stopped closed door dialogue w Stopped closed door dialogue w Govt. Switch to public debate, Govt. Switch to public debate, demands and threats of legal action.demands and threats of legal action.

3. Interview by SERI on 3. Interview by SERI on Transport Issues 2005.Transport Issues 2005.

What are the issues and What are the issues and challenges faced by the state / challenges faced by the state / traffic planners regarding the traffic planners regarding the public transportation ?public transportation ?

What are the solutions What are the solutions proposed?proposed?

4. The Causes 4. The Causes Why the horrendous traffic congestion Why the horrendous traffic congestion

today? today? Long term failure of Govt’s transport Long term failure of Govt’s transport

policies and their implementation by policies and their implementation by agencies e.g. CVLB, JPJ, Puspakom.agencies e.g. CVLB, JPJ, Puspakom.

Promoting cars and neglecting public Promoting cars and neglecting public transport; favouring corporate cronies.transport; favouring corporate cronies.

Above all we need a competent State Above all we need a competent State Transport Authority; not a federal Transport Authority; not a federal board.board.

5. Changing Peoples' Mindset 5. Changing Peoples' Mindset

We are Car dependant citizens.We are Car dependant citizens. We buy and maintain private motor We buy and maintain private motor

vehicles vehicles as a necessity, despite the cost.as a necessity, despite the cost.

Are we to blame?Are we to blame?

6. Our Planning Culture 6. Our Planning Culture MPPP’s town planning culture has MPPP’s town planning culture has

been based on the lack of good been based on the lack of good public transport. public transport.

Road widening, creating one way Road widening, creating one way streets and more on-street car streets and more on-street car parking for cars.parking for cars.

Our car-dependant population is Our car-dependant population is created by created by

a pro-car urban environment a pro-car urban environment A result of bad planning.A result of bad planning.

7. Examples.7. Examples.

Road widening, more on-street parking Road widening, more on-street parking results in results in

Less roadside greenery (for shade) Less roadside greenery (for shade) Less space for pedestrian pavements Less space for pedestrian pavements

(often none) (often none) One-way systems speeds up traffic; One-way systems speeds up traffic;

bad for pedestrians crossing, often bad for pedestrians crossing, often dangerous.dangerous.

Loss of safe cycling space.Loss of safe cycling space.

8. Present Realities. 8. Present Realities.

Penang has highest vehicle per Penang has highest vehicle per capita in Malaysia. capita in Malaysia.

MV Growth estimated as over 10% MV Growth estimated as over 10% /yr over the last 10 years./yr over the last 10 years.

But Govt. has had no comprehensive But Govt. has had no comprehensive policies on traffic management.policies on traffic management.

State Transport authority should do State Transport authority should do this.this.

9. Financial Implications.9. Financial Implications.

The Govt considers public transport (PT) as a The Govt considers public transport (PT) as a profitable private sector service, long profitable private sector service, long outdated.outdated.

Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB), Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB), put under the Ministry of Entrepreneur put under the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives is a gross Development and Cooperatives is a gross anomaly.anomaly.

(should be the Ministry of Transport).(should be the Ministry of Transport).

Both the are deliberately, grossly incompetent!Both the are deliberately, grossly incompetent!

9a Health Implications. 9a Health Implications.

Noise and Air Pollution are obvious Noise and Air Pollution are obvious hazards to health.hazards to health.

Difficult to calculate health care Difficult to calculate health care costs.costs.

High lead content and brain damage High lead content and brain damage in children (WHO criteria).in children (WHO criteria).

Respiratory problems in asthmatics..Respiratory problems in asthmatics..

10. Cheaper to encourage cars??10. Cheaper to encourage cars??

Costs of sustaining infrastructure for Costs of sustaining infrastructure for increasing private MV traffic far increasing private MV traffic far outweigh that of subsidizing PT outweigh that of subsidizing PT

eg road widening, new highways and eg road widening, new highways and their maintenance, their maintenance,

PORR, a waste of money, an PORR, a waste of money, an enviromental disaster.enviromental disaster.

Now even higher petrol subsidies by Now even higher petrol subsidies by Govt. running into billions. Govt. running into billions.

11. An Essential Public Service 11. An Essential Public Service

Not a profit making enterpriseNot a profit making enterprise.. PT is an essential public service, requiring PT is an essential public service, requiring

appropriate subsidies to be efficient. (like appropriate subsidies to be efficient. (like services in healthcare and education). services in healthcare and education).

A principle accepted by all transport A principle accepted by all transport consultantsconsultants

Decisions long overdue: Decisions long overdue: a) Govt taking over of the assets of PT systems in a) Govt taking over of the assets of PT systems in

KL;KL; b) Setting up Rapid Penang with the financial b) Setting up Rapid Penang with the financial

backing of the Ministry of Finance;. backing of the Ministry of Finance;.

12. 12. CEPAT Proposed CEPAT Proposed Remedial Actions, Remedial Actions,

Proposals already made to BN state Proposals already made to BN state Government since 1999.Government since 1999.

Now over to YB Chow Kon Yeow, Ex-Now over to YB Chow Kon Yeow, Ex-Co in charge of Traffic, Local Co in charge of Traffic, Local Government and the Environment!Government and the Environment!

13. A Pro PT Traffic Environment 13. A Pro PT Traffic Environment

Address obstacles to efficient PT Address obstacles to efficient PT system system

Solve traffic bottlenecks along the Solve traffic bottlenecks along the routes, more enforcement!!. routes, more enforcement!!.

Sacrifice on-street parking space for Sacrifice on-street parking space for dedicated bus lanes.dedicated bus lanes.

Ensure punctuality, essential in Ensure punctuality, essential in promoting switch in transport modes, promoting switch in transport modes, a key indicator to success. a key indicator to success.

13a Alternative Non-motorized 13a Alternative Non-motorized Modes.Modes.

Bicycles and Trishaws should be Bicycles and Trishaws should be encouraged.encouraged.

Remember, all the senior citizens in Remember, all the senior citizens in the audience, do you recall cycling to the audience, do you recall cycling to school daily. school daily. Why did we stop?Why did we stop?

Create cycle lanes and parking Create cycle lanes and parking facilities.facilities.

Improve pedestrian walkways w more Improve pedestrian walkways w more tree planting for shade. tree planting for shade.

14. Commuter Shift from Private to 14. Commuter Shift from Private to Public TransportPublic Transport

Coordinated efforts needed from the Coordinated efforts needed from the traffic planners, enforcement traffic planners, enforcement agencies and the bus operators to agencies and the bus operators to ensure that PT efficiency is given top ensure that PT efficiency is given top priority. priority.

In Penang, less than 10% of our In Penang, less than 10% of our commuters using buses. commuters using buses.

In many developed countries, where In many developed countries, where the car ownership is equally high, PT the car ownership is equally high, PT share is 60 - 70%. share is 60 - 70%.

15. Incentives and promotion of PT.15. Incentives and promotion of PT.

Publicity and promotion needed as in Publicity and promotion needed as in other commercial services.other commercial services.

Better maps, signage, better Better maps, signage, better designed bus stops.designed bus stops.

GPS systems to predict schedules.GPS systems to predict schedules.

16. Corporate Incentives.16. Corporate Incentives.

Government Incentives.Government Incentives. Tax breaks to employers for Tax breaks to employers for

supporting PT, for employers who supporting PT, for employers who subsidise their staff on PT fares? subsidise their staff on PT fares?

Civil Servants already have Civil Servants already have allowances for car parking, should allowances for car parking, should this be converted into a PT subsidy?this be converted into a PT subsidy?

17. Disincentives to private car 17. Disincentives to private car users by MPPPusers by MPPP

Reduce on-street parking bays, raise rates, Reduce on-street parking bays, raise rates, (ridiculously low in Penang) use extra (ridiculously low in Penang) use extra FUNDS to improve PT? FUNDS to improve PT?

Stricter enforcement on all illegal parking, Stricter enforcement on all illegal parking, Eliminate one-way streets and introduce Eliminate one-way streets and introduce

traffic calming eg cobblestones, road traffic calming eg cobblestones, road bumps etc. bumps etc.

Create Car free zones closed to private Create Car free zones closed to private motor traffic except for PT and non-motor traffic except for PT and non-motorised vehicles motorised vehicles

18. Planning and Infrastructure.18. Planning and Infrastructure.

Improve accessibility / comfort of the bus Improve accessibility / comfort of the bus stopsstops,,

Plan ‘park and ride’ stations outside of CBD, Plan ‘park and ride’ stations outside of CBD, Pedestrian access that’s both safe and Pedestrian access that’s both safe and

comfortable to elderly and disabled.comfortable to elderly and disabled. Problems: Problems:

a) pedestrian pavements narrowed for road a) pedestrian pavements narrowed for road widening, blocked by illegal vehicle parking, widening, blocked by illegal vehicle parking, hawkers etc. hawkers etc.

b) Faster traffic on one way systems dangerous for b) Faster traffic on one way systems dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists.pedestrians and cyclists.

Now: RapidPenang Now: RapidPenang

RapidPenang is only the first step RapidPenang is only the first step towards solving our traffic problems towards solving our traffic problems here; other factors need to be here; other factors need to be addressed. addressed.

Careful planning and inter-agency Careful planning and inter-agency coordination needed. coordination needed.

Poor coordination repeatedly used as Poor coordination repeatedly used as excuses before: CVLB, JPJ and excuses before: CVLB, JPJ and Puspakom in Collusion??Puspakom in Collusion??

CEPAT proposes sack the CVLB chief!CEPAT proposes sack the CVLB chief!

21. From Economic perspective21. From Economic perspectiveInvestment and Tourism.Investment and Tourism.

Efficient PT is one of the key factors in Efficient PT is one of the key factors in evaluating the quality of the urban evaluating the quality of the urban environment. environment.

Asiaweek did surveys on the Asiaweek did surveys on the ‘‘Liveability Liveability Index’ for the business community.Index’ for the business community.

Penang rated top 5 in 1996; Penang rated top 5 in 1996; subsequently falling due to traffic subsequently falling due to traffic problems. problems.

21a The UNESCO Heritage Listing.21a The UNESCO Heritage Listing.

Listing as a World Heritage Site, an Listing as a World Heritage Site, an important factor in helping economic important factor in helping economic development in inner city. development in inner city.

Our Heritage Management Plan must Our Heritage Management Plan must include proposals to address the include proposals to address the traffic problem to be traffic problem to be

All these Factors attract foreign All these Factors attract foreign investors as well as tourist arrivals.investors as well as tourist arrivals.

21b Better Property values21b Better Property values

Especially in the heritage inner city, Especially in the heritage inner city, plagued by traffic noise and pollution. plagued by traffic noise and pollution.

Can they become desirable up market Can they become desirable up market residential and commercial spaces after residential and commercial spaces after traffic problem is solved? traffic problem is solved?

Look at prices of properties in the old Look at prices of properties in the old inner city areas of Singapore like inner city areas of Singapore like Emerald Hill. Emerald Hill.

22. From Social Equity 22. From Social Equity perspective,perspective,

PT is not a poor man’s facility PT is not a poor man’s facility To establish the environment for a good PT To establish the environment for a good PT

system, system, More private car owners must get off More private car owners must get off

streets , even those w Mercedes and streets , even those w Mercedes and BMW’s. BMW’s.

Across the causeway, professionals and Across the causeway, professionals and CEO’s commute to work on PT.CEO’s commute to work on PT.

A challenge to our new CM and Ex-Co do A challenge to our new CM and Ex-Co do the same? the same?

22. Caring Society? 22. Caring Society? Consider special groups. Consider special groups. Elderly, less affluent mothers with children, Elderly, less affluent mothers with children,

the disabled who are permanently the disabled who are permanently marginalized if they cannot use private marginalized if they cannot use private motor vehicles. motor vehicles.

Govt supports training for people with Govt supports training for people with various disabilities and single mothers to various disabilities and single mothers to acquire marketable skills. acquire marketable skills.

Without PT access they are simply Without PT access they are simply housebound, cannot do their chores housebound, cannot do their chores nor go out to work!nor go out to work!

With YAB Lim Guan Eng and With YAB Lim Guan Eng and YB Chow, another chance?YB Chow, another chance?

Will things will change in time for me Will things will change in time for me to get around George Town safely to get around George Town safely and comfortably when I shall be and comfortably when I shall be going around in my wheel chair?going around in my wheel chair?

Where there’s Life there’s Hope, they Where there’s Life there’s Hope, they Say!Say!

Thank you for your attention! Thank you for your attention!