PENANG is banking on public bus service provider Rapid Penang to help ease acute traffic congestion in the state with the introduction of its demand responsive transit (DRT) e- hailing van service.
The DRT is now on a trial run around the highly dense neighbourhood of Farlim-Air Itam and it can be accessed through the Kumpool app.
Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd, who operates the fleet of Rapid Penang stage buses, announced that the DRT service in Farlim and Air Itam would go through a proof-of-concept phase involving collaboration with Kumpool’s e-hailing service for the benefit of users who previously had difficulty accessing bus services due to narrow roads, especially in residential areas.
Vans will pick up commuters who booked the service at a flat rate of RM1 and for now, it will ply the localities within Farlim-Air Itam at selected locations.
Among the areas it will serve are the Kek Lok Si Temple, Sunshine Central, Farlim, and Air Itam townships as well as the public health clinic in Air Itam.
State executive councillor for tourism Wong Hon Wai threw his support behind the DRT, hoping that it could help the state alleviate growing congestion in dense neighbourhoods.
Wong, who is the Paya Terubong assemblyman, hoped that more residents would opt for public transport to alleviate worsening congestion.
Farlim-Air Itam, which is the island’s top working-class enclave, experiences congestion throughout the day due to the movement of workers, students, and senior citizens.
Rapid Penang has deployed 20 vans to assist in its DRT.
“We constantly strive to bring relevant services to the masses. The routes under DRT would be serviced every 10 minutes and help ease congestion into George Town,” said Rapid Bus CEO Muhammad Yazurin Sallij.
The service is on offer from 6am until 11pm daily and commuters can pay cash or use the Pas Mutiara M50 or Pas Perjalanan OKU Smile. – August 19, 2024.
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