Empty roads are a rare sight in KL, city dwellers say

SHAH ALAM - Empty roads are a rare sight in Kuala Lumpur, as city dwellers have expressed amazement and have been enjoying free and easy rides during this Hari Raya holiday.

Some of them have also put out an appeal to the government to take a serious look into work from home (WFH) policies to ease worsening traffic congestion.

Speaking to a local who is residing in KL, Charnan Murliah, 27, said his travel to work now takes less than 30 minutes instead of one or two hours on a regular day in the city.

"Federal Highway or KL roads being empty is very rare, and I have definitely been enjoying the peaceful and easy ride to work.

"I believe the government should take serious considerations in imposing WFH policies; not only will it ease the roads but also aid in people's mental health," he said.

However, Charnan said companies can offer WFH for employees, which can reduce the need to travel every day.

"This will dramatically reduce congestion if employers can impose periodic and flexible working hours for their employees," he reasoned.

Preiya Tharshini, 26, who echoed the same view on implementing WFH policies, said that this could be an effective solution to reducing traffic congestion in KL city.

"Also, Raya is probably the only festival where KL roads are empty, this clearly shows that most of them residing here are from out of town," she said.

Twenty-six-year-old Xin Mei Lin said it has been easier to travel around in the last few days and that she has been getting to work and other places without any delays.

"It will be great if the main roads in KL are like this every day.

"Congested roads are a burden to everyone, especially in the morning," she said.