GEORGE TOWN: The Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) has urged the Road Transport Department to impose a ban on heavy vehicles during peak hours to alleviate traffic congestion on Penang roads.
A CAP survey revealed that the movement of goods and construction vehicles during peak period, specifically in the morning and evening, significantly contributed to traffic congestion and disrupted traffic, especially along Jalan Masjid Negeri and Jalan Scotland.
CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader said these roads were among the busiest in Penang, and their congestion was exacerbated by the presence of several schools along the routes.
"The current increase in vehicles in the city has led to substantial delays, with some commuters reporting travel times of over an hour to reach their destinations. "To address this issue, it is proposed that heavy vehicles be prohibited from entering the main roads into the city centre from 6:30am to 9:30am and from 4:30pm to 7:30pm every day," he said today.
Mohideen said a similar measure had been in place in Kuala Lumpur since 2022, where the RTD had enforced a ban on heavy vehicles with a laden weight exceeding 7,500kg from entering the city centre during the same peak hours.
"This initiative aims to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion in urban areas," he added.
State Infrastructure Committee chairman Zairil Khir, when contacted, told the New Straits Times than the ban on heavy users using the first Penang Bridge during the morning and evening rush hour was already in place since 2007.He said, at present, there were no restrictions on heavy vehicles on several main roads on the island such as Jalan Masjid Negeri and Jalan Scotland.
"However, the proposal from CAP can be considered and refined.
"Restrictions on heavy vehicles on specific roads need to be thoroughly examined before implementation.
"This includes conducting traffic impact studies, such as calculating the number of vehicles using a particular road. If the study results indicate that heavy vehicles are a major contributor to congestion, control measures will be introduced, and it cannot be denied that restricting heavy vehicles is a reasonable suggestion.
"Nevertheless, this involves the RTD, the police and the local authority," he said.
Zairil said the state government was aware of the increasing traffic congestion on both the island and mainland.
"Several collaborations have been established with various stakeholders, including at the Transport Ministry level.
"The state government is always open to and welcomes any suggestions to reduce traffic congestion in the state," he said.