An average motorist probably earns between RM2,500 to RM 4,000 a month, thus earning approximately RM10.50 to RM16.50 an hour. If a motorist gets stuck in a traffic jam for an average of 2 hours each day, they are effectively losing between RM21 and RM33 everyday. Based on an estimate of 50,000 motorists on the road each day, we have a monumental loss that could run between RM105 million and RM165 million per day! That's a huge sum even though it's only based on estimation but that's the common scenario we have on our busy Kuala Lumpur roads. This bad traffic does not even include the inflow of the morning traffic into the city or the outflow of evening traffic to the suburbs.
There is constantly bad traffic on our roads. And that's not half as bad as when the rainy season starts.
With high traffic in our city at all times, it doesn't take much to start a jam. An accident, a car breaking down, burst pipes, power failures affecting the traffic lights, haphazard parking or anything unusual happening along the road- 4D numbers anyone?
What's more, the high number of road constructions constantly going on at the same time doesn't help to ease traffic flow either.
The traffic situation is further worsened by the high number of single occupancy vehicles. Motorists can help themselves if they practice car-pooling, but car-pooling is only successful if it is done amongst colleagues from the same company. And car-pooling won't work among those who need to mobile in their line of work- and this number of people is huge. Car-pooling is usually inconvenient and other countries have applied it with little success. Why should Malaysia be any different?
Traffic jams are stressful for the motorist, more so if he or she is late for an appointment or function and getting nowhere anytime soon. It is also unhealthy- with vehicle exhaust including harmful substances such as hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, etc, that causes polluted air, haze and acid rain.
To make matters worse, fewer parking spaces will be allocated on public roads with higher parking fees. New buildings constructed are not required to include ample parking space. This will directly cause congestion on the roads worse.
Although there are measures being taken currently to lessen the present worsening situation, implementation is slow and takes time.
In the future, a zoning system will be introduced (similar to that of Singapore) whereby motorists are not allowed to enter the city during certain hours unless they have a special permit. Motorists will then be forced to take public transport into the city while leaving their car at the LRT (Light Rail Transit) or Komuter stations.
Currently the LRT operates from Ampang to Jalan Sultan Ismail- Jalan Raja Laut junction. It is quick and convenient for those who live near the route with feeder buses working to pick up passengers who don't live on the same route. The LRTs cheap ticket price would also appeal to passengers as they would rather spend less on a ticket rather than wasting petrol being stuck in a traffic jam.
The Komuter is also a good alternative, but unlike the LRT system, its schedule is a lot less frequent. There are however, improvements being made as KTM has begun providing services at 15-minute intervals during the morning and evening rush hours.
As for buses, Intrakota now offers better service compared to the old "bas mini's" of yesteryear, as it is air-conditioned and cleaner. Punctuality however, is something to be desired although that could be the sole result of bad traffic- a chicken and egg situation here.
Traffic jams costs big money: great productivity loss, increased stress levels and ongoing health and environmental complications for everyone. Looking at the situation, it looks like everyone will have to chip in to help solve the problem. Take public transport, car-pool when possible & above all, don't slow down to look at accidents!
The faster we resolve to cooperate amongst ourselves, the lesser time we have to spend stuck in traffic jams!
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