BUDGET 2026: GOV'T PRIORITISES SWITCH TO GREEN PUBLIC TRANSPORT, MODERN INFRASTRUCTURE 

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 10 (Bernama) -- The MADANI Government is prioritising a transition to low-carbon green transport through the procurement of electric buses and vans, alongside the enhancement of modern infrastructure for public mobility, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

While tabling the Budget 2026 in the Dewan Rakyat today, Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, announced that Prasarana Malaysia Berhad will acquire 1,450 electric buses and 300 electric vans in phases up to 2030, as part of the shift towards a more environmentally friendly public transport system.

"In addition, Prasarana will receive 310 new buses by February 2026 to increase service frequency in key areas. Meanwhile, 300 vans under the Demand Responsive Transit (DRT) programme are set to be fully operational by the end of this year," he said.

Anwar added that this public mobility agenda will be further strengthened by enhancing national rail connectivity, which includes the LRT3 project linking Bandar Utama, Damansara to Johan Setia in Klang, expected to commence operations by the end of 2025, with a capacity of over 6,200 passengers per hour in each direction.

He confirmed that Phase 1 of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) from Kota Bharu to Gombak is on track for completion by the end of 2026, slashing the travel time from Kelantan to the Klang Valley to just four hours.

Meanwhile, the Electric Train Service (ETS) has been extended to Kluang Station since Aug 10, with the final phase to Johor Bahru Sentral scheduled for completion by the end of 2025.

Furthermore, the Kelana Jaya LRT Line will be upgraded with 26 new trains costing RM1 billion, while the ongoing Mutiara LRT Line project in Penang is set to benefit an estimated 1.8 million local residents and 3.5 million out-of-state visitors.

"The RM4.1 billion Klang Valley Double Tracking Phase 2 project is expected to be completed by 2029. It will connect Bandar Tasik Selatan to Seremban, as well as Simpang Pelabuhan Klang to Port Klang," he added.

The Prime Minister also announced a nearly RM200 million allocation to improve the welfare of public transport commuters, to enhance stage bus services, including new routes in Johor Bahru to support the future Rapid Transit System (RTS).

"Although the Rural Air Service (RAS) has been devolved to the Sarawak Government, a subsidy of RM209 million will still be provided to ensure the service continues to benefit rural and remote communities in both Sabah and Sarawak," he said. 

On a separate initiative, Anwar said the free MyRailLife pass, previously offered to persons with disabilities and school students, will now be extended to children under six years old for travel on KTM Komuter and Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) shuttle services.

Meanwhile, Anwar expressed his profound sorrow over the recent road tragedies involving buses, lorries, and other public vehicles that resulted in loss of life, saying a significant portion of the allocation will be directed towards road safety, maintenance and enforcement of speed limits for heavy goods vehicles.

To this end, he announced an allocation of RM2.5 billion for the maintenance of Federal Roads and a further RM5.6 billion through the State Road Maintenance Grant (MARRIS).

Additional safety measures include the installation of 3,000 LED lights at high-risk highway locations and the expansion of the PERKESO Health Screening Programme to include public goods transport drivers.

Furthermore, to encourage fleet renewal, the purchase of speed limiters for heavy vehicles will be eligible for an Accelerated Capital Allowance, facilitating tax claims within one year.

To encourage the adoption of safer vehicles, the government will also offer a matching grant of up to RM4,000 to owners who scrap a vehicle over 20 years old and replace it with a new national car.

-- BERNAMA