KUALA LUMPUR: There will be no congestion charges for now in Malaysia’s cities, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke (pic).

The Cabinet Committee on Road Safety and Congestion was of the view that the priority should be to improve the quality of public transport before congestion charges are introduced.

“Developed countries only implement congestion charges after having a good and efficient public transport system,” he told the Dewan Negara yesterday.

“Therefore, the Transport Ministry does not and has no plans to implement a congestion charge on private vehicles at this time,” he said to a question from Senator Tan Sri Low Kian Chuan.

Loke added that the Malaysian Road Safety Research Institute and the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation were studying the proposed congestion charges.

The study would look into its implementation, the projected reduction in traffic volume and increased use of public transport.

Source: The Star