SHAH ALAM, 21 Nov: It is hoped that the Selangor Public Transport Council will develop an integrated public transportation plan to enhance and improve public transport in Selangor.

The Assemblyman for Damansara Utama, Yeo Bee Yin, said that improving public transport services is important because it can help boost the local economy and reduce traffic congestion.

“Public transport allows for economic space to be gathered through the convergence of economic activities and clustered offices, shops, and the use of other areas around public transport stops.

“Such clustered activities can improve efficiency through the reduction of labour costs, better communication, lower infrastructure costs, and increased interaction with similar businesses,” said Bee Yin.

She said this when debating the Selangor Budget 2014 at the State Legislative Assembly this morning.

The State Government has been to advised to learn the Penang Government’s approach, which provides a complete public transportation system despite having limited financial resources.

Bee Yin said that among the initiatives that can be taken is to provide feeder buses in strategic areas during peak hours and to create a more intensive public transportation network with greater coverage.

“Through partnership with bus companies, the cost of feeder buses during peak hours shouldered by the Penang Government is about RM160,000 per year for each bus.

“At this price, we can add at least 100 feeder buses during peak hours in the Klang Valley by spending RM20 million.

She said that there are only about 800 buses in the Klang Valley, and by adding 100 buses, it translates to an increase of 12.5 percent in the capacity which will provide huge benefits to the people.