The government is confident that they can achieve 25 percent public transport usage in the Klang Valley by end of 2012.

NONE Federal Territories and Urban Well-being Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin ( left ) said statistics from the Transport Ministry showed that only 16 per cent of Klang Valley residents used public transport.

"I think it is possible ... Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak himself shared his National Key Result Areas (NKRA) on public transport. I'm confident it is achievable with all relevant ministries working together to achieve this target," he said after closing a workshop on creating people-friendly public transport in Kuala Lumpur today.

Also present at the event was Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Ahmad Fuad Ismail and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) Director-General, Datuk Salleh Yusup.

Raja Nong Chik said the government felt the 25 per cent target was not low as it suited the country's situation compared to other developing countries.

"We don't want to be too ambitious. Most advanced countries could only obtain between 60 and 70 per cent so we will take it one step at a time. Even with 25 per cent, we are sure the people will see the difference," he said.

Earlier in his speech, Raja Nong Chik said the workshop organised by DBKL was a proactive measure taken by the ministry and DBKL to encourage the use of public transport.

He said he hoped DBKL obtained the necessary feedback from residents on suggestions to improve public transport before amendments for the Draft KL City Plan 2020 were finalised.

The workshop saw participation from 300 people including Members of Parliament in Kuala Lumpur, professional organisations, the Chamber of Commerce, academicians and non-governmental organisations.

- Bernama