Answer for Oral Question PL020

QUESTION

Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Rosmawatty binti Haji Abdul Mumin

YANG BERHORMAT DAYANG HAJAH ROSMAWATTY BINTI HAJI ABDUL MUMIN asks YANG BERHORMAT Menteri Pengangkutan dan Infokomunikasi to state how the Ministry ensures that the integration of cycling routes, micro-mobility, pedestrian walkability (walkability) and the public transport system can operate efficiently in dense corridors such as Brunei Muara? What are the mechanisms and measures of success to ensure improved connectivity and urban mobility?

ANSWER

Yang Berhormat Menteri Pengangkutan dan Infokomunikasi

In answering this, first of all it is acknowledged that urban development in this country has thus far been more inclined towards mobility practices using private cars and motor vehicles.

In this regard, the role of urban development planning is very important in incorporating aspects of active mobility such as walking, cycling and others.

Therefore, the involvement of the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications as a member of the Land Use Committee is an important platform in ensuring that aspects of active mobility are taken into account, especially in any government development planning, such as national housing areas.

It is acknowledged that this need must be further enhanced and extended also to private developments such as through the provision of a Local Development Plan or Local Plan as well as the provision of design standards & guidelines or standards and guidelines that can support the provision of a sustainable mobility plan for commercial, industrial and housing developments.

In supporting increased connectivity and mobility, the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications, as shared when answering question PL147 from Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Daud bin Jihan, is currently prioritising the upgrading of the public transport system.

According to the Public Works Department (JKR), based on field observations, the implementation of full integration for the provision of dedicated bus lanes and cycling lanes still faces several constraints. Among them are the limited existing road corridor space, especially in city centre areas as well as on several major roads that were developed long ago.

However, in terms of pedestrian walkability (walkability), several initiatives have already been implemented in stages, particularly in areas with a high concentration of public activity. This includes commercial areas, major roads such as Jalan RIPAS, city centre areas as well as around government office complexes, where pedestrian walkways, pedestrian crossings and improvements to the pedestrian environment have been provided to enhance user safety and comfort.

Among the projects completed by the Public Works Department is the provision of pedestrian walkways on the roads surrounding Stadium Negara Hassanal Bolkiah. Meanwhile, projects still under implementation are the construction of pedestrian overhead bridges on Jalan Perdana Menteri near the Jaya Bakti Commercial Area and on Jalan Tutong near Orang Kaya Bakti Kilanas Primary School. In addition, the pedestrian facilities project in the Government Offices area on Jalan Landasan Lama is also planned to be implemented this year.

In relation to the mechanisms and measures for improving connectivity and urban mobility, the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications is formulating a study, namely the Mobility Index, to measure and assess the performance of a sustainable transport system, which will lead towards the mapping of a mobility index. This mobility index will be able to assist in the formulation of a comprehensive policy regarding the use of various modes of transport in Negara Brunei Darussalam.