Gov't urged to maintain tolls, remove petrol subsidies to ease traffic jams

The Centre for Governance and Political Studies has urged the government not to abolish toll charges or to continue fuel subsidies.

In a statement, the centre said its research had shown that Malaysia's affordable fuel and toll price regime had contributed to a high rate of single-occupant vehicles (SOV).

The study found 87.3 percent out of 4,689 vehicles during the morning rush hour were SOVs.

The group, however, said the rate was much higher than SOV rates in the United States (66 percent), Spain (56 percent) and Belgium (30 percent).

"Perhaps, the cost of fuel and sitting through traffic (in the Klang Valley) is not as big as the cost of having to sit and listen to your colleague complain about the boss (by carpooling)," the statement said.

"But if the government were to increase the cost of toll charges and petrol, the most affected would be the B40 group, making driving to work alone a luxury afforded by the rich." 

The group said some of the survey respondents preferred to drive alone because ''carpooling was a hassle''. Others avoided carpooling due to comfort, without having to interact with other people.

Others said public transport remained inefficient and that the cost of parking at LRT or MRT stations were prohibitive.

The centre said higher toll charges could mitigate the number of cars on the road, which was necessary towards addressing climate change. It also suggested increasing the cost of vehicle ownership.

"Vehicles should be more expensive, for the greater good, for our children’s future."