KUALA LUMPUR, 8 JUNE 2006 In a bid to show its commitment to the Government’s call to promote the use of public transport services, University College Sedaya International (UCSI) has suggested the idea of a National Public Transport Day. 

In mooting the idea, its Vice President of Research and Corporate Affairs, Professor Norfadzillah Hitam also calls on the Government to carry out regular campaigns to promote the use of public transport.

"While efforts are being carried out to improve the public transport system in the country, if there are no active campaigns to promote its usage, people will not switch or think of taking public transport," she said. "Our roads will continue to be heavily congested with traffics during the rush hours."

In countries where the public transport system is good, there are fewer motorcyclists on the road. "This is because people would choose to take trains or buses for the convenience of getting around instead of risking their lives on the road," she said, referring to the popularity of the Mass Rail Transit (MRT) in Singapore. 

Statistics (http://www.mot.gov.my/BM/stat/carta/carta%204.pdf)released by the Ministry of Transport in 2004, for example, shows that the number of motorcycles (397,977) registered against 472,116 cars, is alarming and on the rise. 

"Many of the casualties recorded in the country also involve motorcyclists," she said. "Accident casualties involving motorcyclists will also be reduced if more people use buses and trains." 

Professor Norfadzillah said in a country with a population of over 26 million, it is a case of necessity for the Government to focus on efforts to improve the transport services and encourage more people to switch to public transport. 

"As a university, we will carry out some pure research from time to time, in an effort to increase public awareness about the use of trains and buses, instead of driving their private vehicles to work," she added.

"Without prejudice to the rights of UCSI the information herein is correct at the time of printing and UCSI reserves the right to make amendments without prior notice."