KUCHING: Traffic congestion in Sarawak disrupts daily commutes and impacts air quality, productivity and overall quality of life, says Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin.
He added that with the state rapid urbanisation and population growth, Sarawak face both opportunities and challenges, particularly in urban traffic management.
“Worse still, it contributes to stress and may also affect our mental health, which is why we must act now to prevent it from worsening.”
He stated this while chairing a recent Sarawak Urban Traffic Management Committee meeting, stressing the urgent need for collaborative and forward-thinking solutions to tackle the growing urban traffic congestion challenges, particularly in Kuching, Miri, Sibu and Bintulu.
Hence, he emphasised the importance of creating a safe, orderly and efficient transportation system that supports the growing population of Sarawak.
“We need proactive measures to address these challenges before they escalate. One of the key solutions is improving public transport options in Sarawak.”
From a recent benchmarking visit to Seoul, South Korea, Lee observed how Seoul’s public transport system, featuring over 7,000 buses, dedicated bus lanes and an extensive MRT network, has successfully alleviated the traffic congestion in the cities.
“In Seoul, about 60 per cent of the population relies on public transport. This is something we need to learn from.
“We have just started to replace the old buses in Miri City recently with the launching of a new fleet of buses and Kuching City is set to receive 56 new buses next year.
“Construction works on the Kuching Urban Transport System (KUTS) using ART are in progress. The Red Line is scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 2026. However, there is still a lot of work to be done,” he said.
He said this in the meeting held at Hilton Hotel Kuching on Monday (Nov 4).
The meeting concurred with the Sarawak Transport Ministry’s proposal for the continued expansion of public transport networks, including dedicated bus lanes and improved bus signal priority systems, as well as promoting new transport initiatives such as the park-and-ride concept.
“The park-and-ride model, which allows commuters to park at peripheral locations and take the bus into the city centre is seen as a promising solution to reduce the number of vehicles entering congested urban areas.
“We are also exploring ways to encourage more sustainable mobility options, such as cycling and walking.
“However, this will require changes to our urban planning and infrastructure, such as the construction of more covered walkways and safer, more accessible cycling routes. We must also foster a greater sense of civic responsibility to ensure these systems are used appropriately,” he added.
Meanwhile, the meeting also discussed the use of technology to optimise traffic management whereby the Ministry of Transport Sarawak has been piloting new technology on the implementation of bus signal priority systems, which give buses green light priority at traffic junctions, reducing delays and improving punctuality.
“Addressing urban traffic challenges requires a holistic approach that involves all stakeholders, including local authorities, transportation providers, and the public.
“We all have a role to play in improving the urban traffic situation in Sarawak. Our commitment is to create a transport system that is safe, reliable, efficient and environmentally sustainable,” he said.
