TAIPING – Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd today announced that the Rapid Kamunting bus service will cease operation from June 15.
Rapid Bus, a subsidiary of Prasarana Malaysia Bhd, in a statement today said this is due to funding constraints and low demand since the service began operating in Perak in 2016.
Rapid Kamunting is a government initiative under the National Blue Ocean Strategy in collaboration with Prasarana, the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) and Taiping Municipal Council.
The service plies three routes – Route 10 (Taiping Loop), Route 20 (Heritage Trail Loop) and Route 30 (Bukit Jana-Kg Boyan).
“Rapid Kamunting is an effort to catalyse economic growth, connectivity and convenience for the people and local residents,” said the statement.
“After the funding and support from NCIA ended in February 2019, the state government and local authorities no longer expressed interest in continuing the service.”
Rapid Bus said the service has also faced a decline in the number of passengers – a mere 30% – and daunting challenges to cover its operating costs.
The bus operator apologised to Rapid Kamunting’s loyal customers around Taiping and Kamunting for having to end the bus service.
“It was not an easy decision and had been discussed at the highest level with all our stakeholders.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our customers for their support, and Rapid Kamunting staff for their contribution over the years.” – Bernama, May 31, 2021
