Penang’s George Town has been named Malaysia’s most congested city in 2024, while Kuala Lumpur ranked only 5th.
According to the latest TomTom Traffic Index released by GPS device manufacturer TomTom, George Town recorded the highest traffic congestion level in the country, with an average driving time of 26 minutes and 36 seconds per 10 kilometers.
The city also emerged as the 73rd highest-ranking on the global scale.
Surprising runner-up: Kota Bharu
Kota Bharu, Kelantan, unexpectedly clinched the second spot for the worst traffic in Malaysia.
It ranked 139th globally, with motorists spending an average of 22 minutes and 30 seconds to travel every 10 kilometers.
Perak’s Ipoh followed in third place, with an average driving time of 21 minutes and 48 seconds per 10 kilometers.
Kuala Lumpur, often criticized for its heavy traffic as the largest and busiest capital city, surprisingly ranked only as the 5th most congested city in Malaysia and 285th globally.
Static vs. dynamic factors
The TomTom Traffic Index analyzed data from 500 cities across 62 countries. Rankings were based on average travel times and congestion levels, offering insights into traffic patterns in urban areas worldwide.
The report highlighted that variations in travel times between cities result from a combination of static and dynamic factors.
Static factors refer to fixed elements, such as urban infrastructure and road network design, that directly impact travel efficiency.
On the other hand, dynamic factors involve changing conditions, like seasonal traffic peaks, which play a role in daily congestion levels.
Malaysia’s Top 8 Most Congested Cities
Here are Malaysia’s top eight cities with the highest average travel times per 10 kilometers:
- George Town, Penang: 27 minutes
- Kota Bharu, Kelantan: 23 minutes
- Ipoh, Perak: 22 minutes
- Johor Bahru, Johor: 20 minutes
- Kuala Lumpur: 17 minutes
- Seberang Perai, Penang: 15 minutes
- Klang, Selangor: 13 minutes
- Kajang, Selangor: 13 minutes
The findings underscore the growing need for urban planning and innovative solutions to address congestion challenges in Malaysia’s cities.
