SHAH ALAM, DEC 19: Program Pengangkutan Awam Sekali Seminggu (PPASS) needs to be extended to all local authorities in the state.
Dato’ Menteri Besar, Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said that it should be done as PPASS is a State Government’s project which it is proud of, in addition to the encouraging response it has received from civil servants.
He also proposed that Shah Alam City Council (MBSA), Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) and Klang Municipal Council (MPK) implement the project as pioneer projects.
“This is not something new, especially in developed countries like Japan and Taipei which has made the bicycle an acceptable mode of public transportation for all levels of society.
“The same goes with Amsterdam, a city filled with a million bicycles as transportation in between destinations,” he said.
At the same time, Mohamed Azmin said a study conducted in 2014 on 384 respondents around Shah Alam found that only 0.8% used bicycles, while 1.3% are pedestrians and used private vehicles.
He said if this is allowed to continue, the State Government will not achieve its 60:40 ratio (60% for public transport, 40% for private transport) target.
“It is certainly a challenge for us to change our society’s culture and attitude but we can surely encourage them,” he said.
PPASS is launched to encourage civil servants to cycle to work with the facilities of connectivity from other public transport such as buses, commuters, LRT and MRT.