Kota Kinabalu: Sabah is formulating a Sabah Sustainable Transport Master Plan (SSTMP) to address worsening traffic congestion and guide the state’s transport development, said Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Ewon Benedick.
He said the plan aims to create an efficient, integrated, safe and sustainable transport system, while tackling challenges such as rapid urbanisation, the increasing number of private vehicles and growing congestion.
Ewon, who is also State Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship, said the SSTMP encompasses short-, medium-, and long-term planning, with a strong emphasis on enhancing connectivity by integrating various modes of transport, including land, sea, and river, into a comprehensive system.
“At the same time, the State Government is committed to strengthening Kota Kinabalu’s public transport system.
“This effort is being carried out in collaboration with the Federal Government through the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (LPKP),” he said.
He was responding to an oral question from Nabawan Assemblyman Datuk Abdul Ghani during the State Legislative Assembly sitting, who asked whether the Ministry has a long-term plan to address traffic congestion in Sabah’s major towns, particularly Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Lahad Datu and Keningau.
As part of ongoing efforts, the Stage Bus Service Transformation (SBST) programme implemented in Kota Kinabalu has been rebranded as BAS.MY, which provides scheduled public bus services with fixed routes, regular frequencies, and continuous service performance monitoring.
BAS.MY operates seven-metre-long pink buses with dual doors and a standardised design. The buses are equipped with modern facilities such as cashless payment systems, GPS tracking, and CCTV, and are designed to be accessible for the elderly and persons with disabilities.
The service currently covers eight main routes in Kota Kinabalu, aimed at increasing public transport usage, reducing reliance on private vehicles, and easing congestion in urban areas.
Ewon said the Ministry of Transport Malaysia is currently conducting a feasibility study on the Trans-Borneo Railway project, a long-term strategic initiative expected to serve as a key catalyst in transforming Sabah’s transport system.
The study aims to develop a new railway network connecting major cities and rural areas in Sabah, enabling more efficient and systematic passenger and freight transportation.
He added that the project is expected to reduce dependence on road transport, alleviate congestion, and promote economic growth by improving logistics efficiency and workforce mobility.
“Overall, the Government’s approach is based on an integrated transport concept, combining multiple modes of transport to ensure a comprehensive and sustainable solution,” he said.
With the implementation of the SSTMP, the BAS.In MY programme and strategic projects such as the Trans-Borneo Railway, the Government is confident that traffic congestion in Sabah’s major urban centres can be progressively addressed, in line with the state’s development vision.
Meanwhile, during supplementary questions, Likas Assemblyman Tan Yun Fook pointed out that his constituency has a high concentration of schools, resulting in severe congestion during peak hours. He asked how the Ministry plans to address the issue.
In response, Ewon reiterated its commitment to enhancing Kota Kinabalu’s public transport system, including the rollout of BAS.MY is a key solution, as it encourages the public to shift away from private vehicles.
He said continued reliance on private cars would make congestion difficult to resolve. One proposal under study is the construction of a railway line from Putatan to Sepanggar to help ease traffic problems.
He also suggested that Tan propose additional solutions to help address congestion in his constituency.
