GEORGE TOWN – Penang has become the first state in the country to offer free Rapid bus ride services until the end of the year in a bid to promote public transport.
The passenger will however only need to purchase a MY30 access card sold by Rapid Penang which is to be renewed every month at no costs, enabling the rider to enjoy a free ride anywhere and anytime.
The free service begins on Monday until December 31.
State transport committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari told a press conference that for once, Penang has bright news to share with the people, which is the complimentary bus ride.
The state hopes to increase the current number of 2,300 passengers monthly to 10,000 by year-end with the free service.
“The state will allocate an initial sum of RM3 million to subsidise the service, so it is free for any Malaysian who wishes to use the bus service,” he said.
The Prasarana-owned company has a fleet of 400 buses to meet the expected rise in demand for rides.
This move is in line with the Vision Penang 2030 development plan to boost mobility and connectivity through reliance on public transport and the upgrading of the transport system and infrastructure through the Penang Transport Master Plan.
Rapid Penang northern region head Ku Jamil Zakaria said that due to the Covid-19 standard operating procedures, Rapid Penang only allowed seated passengers onboard their buses.
In another development, Zairil said that authorities were probing Tenaga Nasional Bhd’s cable fire under the Penang Bridge on Monday.
Nine cables at Km3.2 heading towards Georgetown caught fire resulting in traffic congestion now that the bridge has been partially closed for repair works which is expected to last three months. – The Vibes, February 25, 2021
