KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 — Town planning experts have voiced support for the proposed tram service in Kuala Lumpur for which the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) will conduct a feasibility study.
The new mode of transport, they said, would encourage more city folks to use public transportation and help ease congestion in the nation’s capital.
Malaysian Institute of Planners (MIP) vice president Noraida Saludin said tram rails which are built on roads do not use any structure so surrounding areas will not be affected during construction work.
"We do not want any more constructions of elevated structures as they interfere with the strength of existing buildings as well as affect the aesthetics of an area,” she told Bernama.
She said with the current sophisticated technology available, trams need not use cables such as the modern trams in Copenhagen, Denmark and Paris, France and are environment-friendly as they had low carbon emissions.
Noraida said the mode of transportation could also reduce vehicles on the road and simultaneously solve traffic congestion in Kuala Lumpur especially in city centres which are areas of focus.
She added, the moderate speed limit of trams is also suitable with the busy city conditions and can lead to more pedestrian facilities.
However, she said a detailed study about it must be conducted by taking into account the technical aspect, ridership, geography, soil conditions, geometric and others.
Echoing Noraida’s views was Universiti Malaya’s Department of Urban and Regional Planning Programme coordinator Dr Nikmatul Adha Nordin who said that the authorities must have a proper strategy to include trams into the existing city ecosystem.
"Factors like safety, accessibility, crowd management, comfort and environmental impact need to be taken into account to ensure the scheme works well in the city,” she said.
Dr Nikmatul said it could also be a strategy to revitalise inner city areas as better connectivity would boost commercial activity in the vicinity of tramlines.
The service should complement existing Light Rail Transit (LRT) and bus services, she said.
SPAD chief executive Mohd Azharuddin Mat Sah said input from other stakeholders such as the Kuala Lumpur City Hall, Road Transport Department and the public would be factored in as the implementation of the tram service would involve several authorities.
According to the Land Public Transport Transformation Journey 2010-2015, the study would be completed next year.
This initiative was stated in the Urban Rail Development Plan, which was a part of the Greater Kuala Lumpur Land Public Transport Master Plan, to enhance travel experience using the rail system. — Bernama
You May Also Like