More buses needed at rush hour

THE high demand for public buses in Danau Kota, Kuala Lumpur especially along Jalan Danau Saujana is contributing to longer waiting times during peak hours.

Residents here are urging Prasarana Malaysia Berhad (Prasarana) to increase the frequency of buses especially during morning rush hour.

Freelancer Jacky Tam, 28, said the bus stop along Jalan Danau Saujana next to Aeon Big Danau Kota was filled with passengers on weekday mornings.

Lai plans to propose to DBKL’s Urban Transportation Department for new GoKL routes to service Jalan Danau Niaga.“Rapid KL buses are not only providing service for working adults but for Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TAR UC) students too.

“Although there are shuttle buses for students, some still ride Rapid buses to TAR UC,” he said.

Tam, who recently graduated from TAR UC, said when he was a student representative, he had written to Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd to increase the frequency of buses.

“However, Rapid Bus could not comply with our request, stating business considerations as part of the reason,” he said, adding that residents and students were facing this problem even before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sales manager David Sim, 33, said he often waited 30 minutes for a bus.

“The bus stop can get crowded with passengers and it is normal to wait outside the bus stop for a bus,” he added.

“It is inconvenient if it rains.”

During a site visit, StarMetro found students lining up for the college shuttle at the bus stop near Aeon Big.

Tam: The bus stop along Jalan Danau Saujana next to Aeon Big Danau Kota is filled with passengers during weekday mornings.Kuala Lumpur Advisory Board member Andre Lai said there were two bus stops along the road, one closer to Aeon Big and the other next to Plaza Crystalville Danau Kota.

“The one nearer the supermarket attracts more people because there are many apartments in the vicinity.

“Unfortunately, GoKL buses only pass by parts of Wangsa Maju such as Sri Rampai LRT Station but do not travel along Jalan Danau Niaga.

“I will also raise this with Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s Urban Transportation Department and hopefully a new route can be planned for GoKL buses,” he said, adding that he would also propose for a covered walkway from Aeon Big to a nearby mosque to provide shelter for passengers.

Rapid Bus chief executive officer Muhammad Yazurin Sallij Muhammad Yasin said his team was working towards improving the frequency of buses to meet increasing demand.

“This may take effect before the end of October.

Muhammad Yazurin Sallij says his team is working towards improving bus frequency to meet increasing demand.“Rapid KL currently has three buses for the route from Wangsa Maju to Colombia Asia Hospital in Taman Danau Kota,” he said in a statement.

Rapid KL buses run on 25-minute intervals during peak hours from 7am to 10am.

At other times, the buses run on 30-minute intervals except from 7pm to 9pm (40 minutes) and 9pm to 11pm (one hour).