Visitors seeking services at government complex in Putrajaya has been identified as one of the main causes of congestion in the administrative centre.

Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin said traffic jams during peak hours was due to the large number of outsiders and permanent residents who drove to work or official business.

"We find that congestion is a result of visitors coming to government complexes and Putrajaya residents driving to the office, despite we encouraging them to take public transport," he said in response to a supplementary question from Azalina Othman Said (BN-Pengerang) at the Dewan Rakyat today.

NONE Azalina wanted to know the steps taken to manage traffic congestion in Putrajaya during peak hours.

Raja Nong Chik (left) said to resolve the problem, the Putrajaya Corporation had enhanced its transport system by engaging 75 additional Nadi Putra buses in 2010 and 175 more last year.

"We can increase the frequency of buses through the new additions, and it is a move towards reducing congestion, whereby Nadi Putra passengers have increased by 12 per cent from 3.7 million passengers in 2010 to 4.2 million in 2011.

"This shows that road users are ready to change their mode of transport from using their own cars to public transport should the service provided be satisfactory," he said.

Raja Nong Chik added that the traffic control centre has also been informed to monitor the situation at several main junctions, including Persiaran Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, to ensure smooth flow of traffic during peak hours.

- Bernama

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