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Malaysian News: Transit Agency Integration, Toll Roads, Buses, Proton, Ports October 4, 2004

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Malaysian News: Transit Agency Integration, Toll Roads, Buses, Proton, Ports October 4, 2004 Malaysian News: transit agency integration, toll roads, buses, proton, ports October 4, 2004 1. A new bill has been introduced to the legislature to consolidate all public transportation functions previously divided over 10 agencies into one new agency for KL. 2. The Malaysian government has been paying toll road owners compensation over the last 5 years so that tolls would be increased at a slower rate. This may raise questions as to how fiscally feasible the private toll road industry in Malaysia is and what concessions have to be given for new toll road construction. 3. SHort opinion piece describing buses that stop so that the drivers can solicit riders as a nuisance that should be reduced or eliminated 4. Some school bus operators increase fares without permission - good example of difference between US and Malaysia - also discussion of process for resolving this issue 5. Discussion of pros and cons of proposed Proton merger with foreign auto company 6. Proton has been looking for a foreign auto manufacturer to partner with - current belief is that Proton will partner ith VW, in a move rewarded by Malaysian market 7. This is a follow up article from a couple of weeks ago - shippers and agents had previously refused to input container data into new data tracking system at ports and threatened to shut down ports when new system came online. The system came on line over the weekend and the shippers and agents backed down and are supplying the necssary information 8. More stats for container throughput for major Malaysian ports ************************************************************************ *** ***1. New bill to consolidate public transit functions under one new agency*** ************************************************************************ **** http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2004/10/4/nation/9041239&sec=nation Urban transport to be centralised BENTONG: The public transportation system in the Klang Valley is set to improve within the next three years with the setting up of the Urban Transportation Authority, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy said. “We are in the midst of preparing the legislation – called the Urban Transportation Authority Act – to put everything under one roof,” he told reporters after opening the Selangor MCA Youth's “Building Tomorrow Today” seminar here yesterday. “We hope to table the Bill in Parliament next year,” he said. Currently, he said various aspects of public transportation, such as project planning, enforcement and implementation, were fragmented among 10 ministries and government departments including the Transport Ministry, Federal Territories Ministry, local councils, Housing and Local Government Ministry and the police. The integration of the public transportation system will involve the merging of several bus and light rail transit companies such as Intrakota, Park May, Putraline and Star-LRT. Once completed, commuters can look forward to a single ticketing system and increased connectivity, Chan said. The authority will also look into various problems such as irregular feeder bus services as well as poor connectivity and the lack of shaded walkways between interchange stations. ************************************************** ***2. Government compensation to toll road owners*** ************************************************* http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Wednesday/National/20040929084928/Arti cle/indexb_html Compensation to ensure gradual toll increases Patrick Sennyah, Carol Murugiah and Aniza Damis DEWAN RAKYAT, Sept 28: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE Government has paid out RM1.04 billion in compensation to highway concessionaires as part of efforts to increase gradually toll rates over a five-year period from 1999. Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said the companies were further compensated by the Government, which extended their concession period, in the form of RM10.8 billion in toll charges. Replying to questions raised by MPs debating the Budget 2005, Samy Vellu said compensation had led to lower toll increases than the rates stipulated in the concession agreements. "The Government decided to compensate the companies to ease the burden of highway users." To a query from Chow Kon Yeow (DAP-Tanjong), Samy Vellu said buying back part or the whole concession was not feasible as it was too costly. On another matter, he said the Government had no plans to build a road to Bario in Sarawak despite three fatal helicopter crashes in the area recently. He said it was not economical to build such a road as Bario was isolated and sparsely populated. Responding to Ronald Kiandee (BN-Beluran), Samy Vellu said air travel would remain the main mode of transportation to the highlands in Sarawak. However, after much persuasion, the minister told Madius Tangau (BN-Tuaran) that the Sarawak Public Works Department would be instructed to look into the possibility of building a "suitable" road into Bario. Samy Vellu also responded to queries on the delay in the construction of the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) building, which was supposed to have been completed years ago. "The PWD detected several structural defects in the building in 1998 ...and appointed two new contractors to undertake repair works." ******************************************************************* ***3. Short opinion piece on private bus operators vying for riders*** ******************************************************************* http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Wednesday/Letters/20040929111857/Articl e/indexb_html TRANSPORT: Get rid of touts at Puduraya Sept 29: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BUS touts at Puduraya are a nuisance and are giving the city a bad name. It is not a new problem at Puduraya but it is getting from bad to worse. At every entrance, and in front of the ticket counters, they harass everyone at the bus terminal. You just have to walk past any entrance of Puduraya and they will approach you. They park their buses beside the roads in front of Menara Maybank, in front of Impiana Hotel and even at the traffic lights junction of Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, blocking the roads, the view of motorists and causing traffic jams. They shout for passengers in front of their buses. It seems like the authorities are oblivious to the situation. There is a police booth a short walk away. These touts are so visible from the booth. The authorities should act against them to ensure that nobody is victimised. E.C. LIM Kuala Lumpur ****************************************************************** ***4. Some school bus operators increases fares without permission*** ****************************************************************** http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Monday/National/20041004082424/Article/i ndexb_html ‘Do not increase school bus fare’ R. Sittamparam JOHOR BARU, Oct 3: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board and Road Transport Department will act against school bus operators who increase their fares without approval. Entrepreneur Development and Co-operatives Minister Datuk Khaled Nordin said they would have to face the consequences if they insisted on increasing rates on the back of the recent increase in fuel prices. He said fares could not be increased until a study on the review of transport and school bus fares was completed at the end of the year. "If school bus operators go against our directive and do what they wish, they will have to face the consequences," Khaled told reporters after opening the Menara Optometry Centre at Plaza Angsana here. Khaled said this when asked to comment on the Federation of Malaysian Schoolbuses Association's announcement yesterday that it was increasing fares by six per cent or between RM2 and RM3. Association chairman Chee Ah Tey had said they could not wait for the CVLB approval for a price hike as the increase in diesel price had taken effect. He said the decision was in answer to mounting pressure from association members, adding that the six per cent fare hike was only based on the increase in diesel price and not other costs. He said the association had earlier submitted a memorandum to the CVLB for a 20 per cent fare hike. Meanwhile, lorry operators nationwide have to wait for Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcob to return from abroad next week to discuss their proposition to forgo higher rates in return for lower road tax. Ministry Parliamentary Secretary Datuk Dr Hilmi Yahya said Nor Mohamed could only do so then as he is currently abroad. He said the Pan Malaysia Lorry Owners' Association (PMLOA) should not increase rates until it had met Nor Mohamed and his senior officials. PMLOA president Er Sui See had said yesterday that lorry owners nationwide were prepared to forgo a hike in rates following an increase in fuel prices if road tax for vehicles was reduced. Dr Hilmi said PMLOA's proposal for a reduction in road tax was only submitted three weeks ago. "It is too short a time for the ministry to study their proposition." Er said yesterday that association members would not implement a proposed seven per cent increase in rates if the Government accepted the proposition on road tax. At present, owners of lorries which are classified under general cargo have to pay RM6,865 in annual road tax for a 36-tonne vehicle compared to RM1,200 for container lorries. PMLOA will convene
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