PETALING JAYA, June 6 — Transport Minister Anthony Loke has revealed that Malaysia’s public transport usage remains at a low 20 per cent, far from the 40 per cent target set under the National Transport Policy 2019–2030.
Speaking at the Ilmuwan Malaysia Madani Siri 6 forum, Loke highlighted the ministry’s commitment to shifting freight transport from roads to rail through the phased implementation of the ‘Road to Rail’ initiative, expected to enhance logistics efficiency, particularly with the completion of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL).
Loke also reiterated the importance of professional leadership in public transport agencies, stating that appointments should be based on expertise, not political affiliation. Citing Prasarana Malaysia Berhad’s improved performance under professional management, he emphasized that competent leadership is key to building a reliable, affordable, and sustainable transport system.
Daily ridership, he noted, has risen from 681,000 in 2022 to over 1.3 million in 2025—a testament to the sector’s ongoing recovery and reform.
