Latest news with #TransportMinistry
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Point-to-point speed monitoring pilot yet to begin
KUALA LUMPUR: The implementation of the pilot project for the point-to-point speed monitoring system under the Automated Awareness Safety System (Awas) has yet to commence. "The point-to-point system pilot project has not started. So far, there is no information on when it is scheduled to begin," the Transport Minister's office said. Previously, the artificial intelligence-based system was announced to be tested on two major highways, from the Genting Sempah Tunnel to the Gombak rest stop, and from the Senawang Toll Plaza to the Simpang Ampat Toll Plaza (Alor Gajah). In addition, the system is planned for installation at accident-prone areas along longer stretches, such as the route from the Menora Tunnel to the Sungai Perak rest stop. When asked whether the test would take place soon, the it said any updates would be announced later. Previously, Transport Ministry secretary-general Datuk Jana Santhiran Muniayan said the system would measure the travel time of vehicles between two fixed points to detect speeding violations. For instance, if a driver travelling from Jalan Duta to Tanjung Malim arrives earlier than the expected time, the vehicle's number plate will be detected and a summons will be issued automatically. Jana Santhiran also said the system is capable of detecting if a driver stops along the way to delay their journey in an attempt to avoid detection. Transport Minister Anthony Loke had earlier also said that the system was expected to be implemented starting June, but the latest clarification from his office today shows that the actual rollout of the pilot project has not yet begun. In January, he had said the system was designed to replace the existing static camera method.
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
ECRL's longest tunnel in Southeast Asia set for breakthrough next month
KUANTAN: The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) is poised to achieve a significant milestone next month, with the breakthrough of the Genting Tunnel — Southeast Asia's longest rail tunnel — expected by the end of June. Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak said only 200m remained of the tunnel's full length of 16.39km. "We're making excellent progress… with just 200m left, we anticipate the Genting Tunnel breakthrough by the end of June. We are on track," he told reporters at the ECRL KotaSAS Central Station today. Darwis said this after officiating the first article assessment ceremony, which marked the successful installation of communication, information, and signalling (CIS) systems at the KotaSAS station — the first along the ECRL alignment to complete this critical phase. Construction of the twin-bore Genting Tunnel, a core component of the ECRL, began in June 2022. Excavation works have utilised two state-of-the-art, China-made tunnel boring machines (TBMs) — the largest ever deployed for a rail project in Southeast Asia. The tunnel traverses the Titiwangsa Range via Bukit Tinggi, connecting Bentong in Pahang to Gombak in Selangor. On the subject of ticket pricing for the ECRL, Darwis said the matter fell under the jurisdiction of the Transport Ministry and the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad). "It's premature to discuss ticket fares at this stage. Pricing will be determined by the Transport Ministry and Apad," he said, adding that Transport Minister Anthony Loke had previously assured the public that fares would remain affordable. Darwis was responding to remarks made by Pahang assemblyman Datuk Wong Tat Chee, who used an artificial intelligence (AI) tool — ChatGPT — to estimate hypothetical ticket prices. Wong had suggested a fare of about 10 sen per kilometre during last month's state assembly sitting. Separately, Darwis welcomed a recent announcement by the Pahang state government expressing its readiness to implement high-impact development projects surrounding all seven ECRL stations within the state. "We've been informed that the state government will prioritise infrastructure and public facilities within a 15km radius of each ECRL station. "The 258km alignment within Pahang includes seven stations — Cherating and KotaSAS will serve passengers only, while Kuantan Port City, Paya Besar, Maran, Temerloh, and Bentong will handle both passenger and cargo traffic," he said. On May 7, Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail announced plans for transit-oriented development (TOD) around the stations , incorporating housing, commercial, and educational zones. The ECRL project, which spans Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, and Selangor, is expected to be fully completed by the end of 2026, with operations slated to begin in January 2027.
The Star
5 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Off-peak incentives will be offered to reduce traffic at Port Klang
PUTRAJAYA: Financial incentives will be offered to encourage hauliers to space out their entry into Port Klang so that traffic congestion in and around the port could be better managed, says the Transport Ministry. In particular, sums starting from RM7.50 for vehicles will be offered as a pilot programme beginning August, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke (pic) after he chaired the National Logistics Task Force meeting here yesterday. Hauliers entering Port Klang during off-peak hours (8pm to 8am) will receive RM15 for dual movements (enter and exit within the same time band) and RM7.50 for single movements. 'The cost of this incentive will be funded through a Terminal Access Charge (TAC) of RM10 payable by hauliers entering the port during peak hours (8am to 8pm). 'The imposition of TAC and the provision of incentives will be exempted on Sundays and Public Holidays. These measures provide clear incentives to help the industry move towards safer and more efficient practices,' said Loke of the scheme that is expected to be fully in place by the end of the year. In the same vein, importers and exporters that shift at least 50% of their haulage activity to off-peak hours by July 1 will also qualify for additional free storage time at the port. At present, a four-day free storage period is standard before charges apply. Loke said companies that do not maintain a 50:50 ratio between peak and off-peak movements may lose this free storage incentive. Currently, about 70% of haulage activity at Port Klang take place during peak hours, contributing to congestion and delays. The port saw a 9% increase in container volume in 2024, putting further pressure on surrounding roads. To address the issue, the Port Klang Authority (PKA) set up a special task force in January to study traffic patterns and recommended measures that included the introduction of these off-peak incentives. 'The goal is to spread out truck movements and reduce traffic during busy hours. This will not only ease congestion but also make our roads safer for everyone,' said Loke. When asked about yesterday's meeting between ministers and the Prime Minister, Loke confirmed that no reshuffling was mentioned at the occasion. 'Yes, there was a meeting with the Prime Minister, but I was not informed of any Cabinet changes. The Prime Minister said the Transport Minister remains,' he replied when asked whether the discussion centred on filling the two vacant ministerial posts. The vacancies arose following the resignations of Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad this week as Economy Minister and Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister respectively.
The Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Off-peak incentive, additional free savings period introduced to handle Port Klang congestion
PUTRAJAYA: The National Logistics Task Force (NLTF) meeting today approved the Off-Peak Incentive and Additional Free Storage Period to address accidents involving heavy vehicles and road congestion leading to Port Klang. Transport Minister Anthony Loke said that through the new scheme, goods carriers or hauliers entering Port Klang during off-peak hours will receive an incentive of RM15 for dual movement. An incentive of RM7.50 will be given for a single movement. 'The cost of this incentive will be borne through the Terminal Access Charge (TAC) of RM10, which will be charged to hauliers entering the port during peak hours, which is 8 am to 8 pm. 'The imposition of TAC and the provision of incentives are exempted on Sundays and Public Holidays,' he said in a press conference after chairing the National Logistics Task Force (NLTF) Meeting No. 1/ 2025 here today. According to Loke, the pilot project for the incentive will begin this August and full implementation is expected to begin early next year. 'This is a policy or initiative that we are discussing together with industry players and port operators. 'It is to encourage the movement of more hauliers during off-peak hours to Port Klang. This will be able to disperse traffic during peak hours,' he said. Meanwhile, Loke said NLTF also approved an incentive whereby importers or exporters who shift at least 50 per cent of their haulier movements from peak to off-peak hours before or on July 1 will be eligible to receive an extension of the free storage period. 'Failure to achieve this target may result in the incentive being withdrawn. 'If importers or exporters fail to pick up or deliver containers from or to the port according to the 50:50 ratio between peak and off-peak hours, the additional free storage period given will be reduced,' he said. Loke said starting July 1, port infrastructure would be used as an additional method to expand enforcement on the issue of overloading by heavy vehicles. 'Enforcement will be implemented at all federal ports in Peninsular Malaysia and details on the policy of overloading offence will be communicated by the respective Port Authorities to industry players,' he said. He said the introduction of incentives to shift to off-peak hours is part of the Transport Ministry's long-term commitment to improve road safety for the well-being of road users.
The Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Off-peak incentive, free savings to ease Port Klang congestion
PUTRAJAYA: The National Logistics Task Force (NLTF) meeting today approved the Off-Peak Incentive and Additional Free Storage Period to address accidents involving heavy vehicles and road congestion leading to Port Klang. Transport Minister Anthony Loke said that through the new scheme, goods carriers or hauliers entering Port Klang during off-peak hours will receive an incentive of RM15 for dual movement. An incentive of RM7.50 will be given for a single movement. 'The cost of this incentive will be borne through the Terminal Access Charge (TAC) of RM10, which will be charged to hauliers entering the port during peak hours, which is 8 am to 8 pm. 'The imposition of TAC and the provision of incentives are exempted on Sundays and Public Holidays,' he said in a press conference after chairing the National Logistics Task Force (NLTF) Meeting No. 1/ 2025 here today. According to Loke, the pilot project for the incentive will begin this August and full implementation is expected to begin early next year. 'This is a policy or initiative that we are discussing together with industry players and port operators. 'It is to encourage the movement of more hauliers during off-peak hours to Port Klang. This will be able to disperse traffic during peak hours,' he said. Meanwhile, Loke said NLTF also approved an incentive whereby importers or exporters who shift at least 50 per cent of their haulier movements from peak to off-peak hours before or on July 1 will be eligible to receive an extension of the free storage period. 'Failure to achieve this target may result in the incentive being withdrawn. 'If importers or exporters fail to pick up or deliver containers from or to the port according to the 50:50 ratio between peak and off-peak hours, the additional free storage period given will be reduced,' he said. Loke said starting July 1, port infrastructure would be used as an additional method to expand enforcement on the issue of overloading by heavy vehicles. 'Enforcement will be implemented at all federal ports in Peninsular Malaysia and details on the policy of overloading offence will be communicated by the respective Port Authorities to industry players,' he said. He said the introduction of incentives to shift to off-peak hours is part of the Transport Ministry's long-term commitment to improve road safety for the well-being of road users.
