Public Transport Users Association (4PAM) president Ajit Johl said the budget was comprehensive on transport matters and the association was pleased that even ferries were given attention.

He said ferries remained a big mode of transport especially in areas like Kelantan, Langkawi and Johor.

However, Ajit said the budget had not allocated sufficient funds for the maintenance of public transport infrastructure.

“Upkeep of bus stops, CCTVs and lighting are needed to ensure safety and (encourage) people to use public transport more. Facilities in rural areas need to be given emphasis and upgraded accordingly too,” he told FMT.

The 2023 budget tabled yesterday set aside RM180 million to improve bus services in Melaka, Kedah, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.

Transport consultant Rosli Azad Khan also welcomed the budget but questioned why the RM180 million was only for those states.

“Other towns like Johor Bahru, Ipoh, Kuantan, Kuala Terengganu and Kota Bharu also require stage bus services as there are no other forms of public transport.”

He also pointed out that in the Klang Valley, the main problem with public transport is the lack of connectivity for the first and last mile.

“The government should allow for the use of personal mobility devices like electric scooters,” he said. Permits should be issued for minibuses that travel between rail stations near housing estates.

Rosli said the government should issue more school bus permits, limited to minibuses, vans and MPVs, to ferry children to school so parents don’t have to spend more time on the roads, thereby needlessly increasing road traffic.

Finance minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz also announced the continuation of the My50 RapidKL monthly pass to benefit 180,000 users.