KUALA LUMPUR: Boost the use of public transportation by limiting parking lots at housing developments located near LRT and MRT stations.
Transport minister Anthony Loke proposed a pilot project whereby if there is public transportation nearby, developers do not have to provide complimentary car park lots to residents.
“This is just a suggestion, but I believe this experiment (pilot project) would be able to kill two birds with one stone.
“Limiting the number of parking lots will not only boost the use of public transportation but also lower the prices of housing, indirectly lowering the cost of living. Those who require a car park can make a request.
“This year’s theme of ‘‘#ahomeforbettertomorrow’ is indeed appropriate to reflect Real Estate & Housing Developers' Association’s (REHDA) continuing efforts and commitment to promote home ownership, especially affordable housing catered to the lower income group, including ensuring better quality housing for the Rakyat,” he said at the launch of the Home Ownership Campaign – Malaysia Property Exposition (HOC - MAPEX) 2019 here today.
Also present at the opening ceremony at Mid Valley Exhibition Centre (MVEC) was REHDA president, Datuk Ir. Soam Heng Choon, and HOC-MAPEX 2019 chairman Datuk Ng Seing Liong.
Soam said the cost of building a car park lot was approximately RM50,000, hence eliminating one lot for a RM500,000 apartment could bring the cost of an apartment down by 10 per cent.
“We will identify new housing projects near public transportation and work with the housing and local government ministry and developers, to put forward this suggestion.”
Loke said this was also in line with the ministry’s aim and ambition for people to use public transport to work and everyday life, hence reducing their cost of living by quite a bit, almost RM200 a month in some instances.
“The government has also launched a RM500 million Public Transport Fund to encourage public transport adoption while improving and enhancing transport-related infrastructure in the country which may be applied for the purchase of public transport vehicles such as taxis and buses.
“We place a lot of emphasis on proper infrastructure, including comfortable amenities especially because of our rainy weather. We want to ensure everything is covered, so people can commute to work without worrying about the rain," he said.
He also said the government envisions that the future of Malaysia will be rail-based, and therefore it would continue to invest in railway network.
“In line with the Prime Minister’s goal, we want to encourage more freight and people to be transported via rail. Major Klang Valley projects that will boost rail services include the Light Rail Transit 3 (LRT3) and Mass Rapid Transit 2 (MRT2) projects which are scheduled for completion by February 2024 (LRT3) and July 2021 (MRT2) respectively.”
When asked about the timeline for the Johor Baru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link (RTS) project, Loke said to wait for his announcement.
