The Malaysian government is actively studying the feasibility of implementing a congestion charge in Kuala Lumpur to tackle traffic congestion and promote public transport use. A comprehensive report on the initiative is expected to be completed by the end of 2024 and will be presented to the Cabinet Committee on Road Safety and Traffic Congestion.
Study Led by MIROS and MGTC
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), Dr. Zaliha Mustafa, announced that the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) and the Malaysia Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC) are conducting the study. Their research focuses on key aspects such as the implementation mechanism, expected traffic reduction, and projected impact on public transport usage.
International Models Under Consideration
Dr. Zaliha highlighted that the government is reviewing congestion charge models from global cities, including:
New York: Automatic license plate-based charging system
Singapore: Zone- and time-based Electronic Road Pricing (ERP)
London: Fixed-fee Congestion Charge Zone for peak hours
Jakarta & Beijing: Road Space Rationing system restricting vehicle use based on odd/even license plate numbers
If implemented in Kuala Lumpur, the congestion charge could potentially reduce traffic by 20%. Dr. Zaliha emphasized that the charge should be high enough to deter excessive road use but not so high that it burdens drivers.
Economic Impact of Traffic Congestion
A 2020 study by Prasarana Malaysia Bhd estimated that traffic congestion costs the country RM20 billion annually. Reducing congestion by just 1% in key areas such as Bukit Bintang, Lembah Pantai, Setiawangsa, and Wangsa Maju could save RM200 million.
Public Transport Readiness is Key
Currently, Kuala Lumpur experiences heavy traffic, with 1.5 million vehicles entering and exiting daily and a total of six million on the roads. Despite this, only 25% of commuters rely on public transport due to weak first-mile and last-mile connectivity.
Dr. Zaliha stressed that the congestion charge should only be introduced once the city’s public transport system is well-integrated and efficient, ensuring minimal disruption to daily commuters.
As discussions progress, the government remains committed to finding sustainable solutions to Kuala Lumpur’s traffic challenges while balancing economic and commuter interests.