Improve public transport system before banning 'kapcai', gov't told

It is unfair to ban 'kapcai' or motorcycles between 50 to 150cc from downtown Kuala Lumpur if the national capital's public transport system is still not comprehensive nor cost effective, said Federal Territories PAS Youth.

"As of now, the costs to take the LRT and bus are far higher than that of riding a bike," said the movement's chief Khairilnizam Khirudin in a statement, noting that the move will impact most youths and the low-income groups.

He said that youths and the low-income groups chose the motorcycle as it can save both time and money.

The movement wants the government to look at and solve the city's transportation woes before taking such measures so that it would not cause hardship on those who are affected.

"We urge the government to, first of all, implement a comprehensive study about the public transportation system in Kuala Lumpur to solve the problem of congestion faced by city-dwellers every day," he said.

Khairilnizam was responding to Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, who was reported to have said that the government might ban ‘kapcai’ motorcycles from Kuala Lumpur to reduce carbon emissions.

And while Khairilnizam admitted that it is important to monitor carbon emissions as it can lead to pollution, it is prudent not to discriminate against 'kapcai' users as other vehicles like cars, buses, and lorries also emit carbon and in far greater quantities.

FT PAS Youth contended that Tengku Adnan and authorities should take into consideration the feedback from city dwellers before enforcing any such ban.- Mkini