KUCHING, Sept 4: Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDSB) today applauded the state government for putting the proposed light rail transit (LRT) project on the backburner for the time being.
Its president, Cobbold John Lusoi, suggested that the government worked on improving public bus services in and around Kuching City instead to resolve transportation issues. In addition, such a move would not break the state’s coffer.
“I appreciate the move by (Datuk Patinggi) Abang Johari (Tun Openg) to postpone the construction of the LRT project. I suggest the chief minister let the next generation of leaders worry about the LRT while the state government under his leadership start thinking seriously about improving bus services,” said Cobbold in a statement.
He claimed many city folks felt that public bus services were near “non-existent” and that was why many families resorted to owning cars.
After chairing a Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) supreme council meeting on Saturday (Sept 1), Abang Johari told reporters that his administration had decided to postpone the LRT project in order to focus on rural development.
The proposed LRT was originally meant to cover Kuching, Kota Samarahan and Serian to improve the public transportation system and to reduce traffic congestion.
In any case, Cobbold called on the government to make public the LRT study that is being undertaken by a consultant firm engaged by the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC).
On a related matter, Cobbold opined that Abang Johari should not insist that bus companies use only hydrogen-powered buses to ply the streets of Kuching. He argued that diesel-powered ones were not creating havoc on the city’s environment and should be allowed to continue operating.
“Diesel-powered buses were also used in the past, and nobody complained. What’s important is that the bus company provides an efficient service,” Cobbold pointed out. — DayakDaily
