Trial run for new transit service

RAPID Bus Sdn Bhd is exploring the concept of an on-demand bus service or Demand-Responsive-Transit (DRT) in Penang in January next year.

Rapid Bus chief executive officer Muhammad Yazurin Sallij Muhammad Yasin said the trial project would be based on a similar project in Klang Valley.

Its aim is to strengthen the public transport system in Penang.

“For a start, we will run a trial project in a location which will be decided on later,” he said after hosting a luncheon with Penang media members at Ascott Gurney Penang.

He said DRT would utilise a vehicle smaller than a bus that could ferry between 10 and 12 people at a time, as this could shorten passengers’ waiting times.

He said through the concept, the bus would move and operate when it received bookings from users via a mobile application, and this would make bus services more effective from the aspect of operating costs and optimal use.

Muhammad Yazurin believed this transportation concept, which had designated virtual stops, could serve the community better especially during peak hours.

This type of service, he said, could supplement the usual bus service and offer a wider coverage area.

“It is not like ehailing services or door-to-door, but passengers can go to a designated virtual stop when they require the service,” he said, adding that Penang folk could use the Mutiara Pass to pay for the DRT service.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Yazurin said Rapid Bus was in the midst of getting a new tender to purchase 310 buses for the whole country.

He said from the total, 70 would be given to Penang to replace old vehicles and add to the current Penang Rapid Bus fleet.

Currently, Penang Rapid Bus has about 350 buses and some have been in use for more than 10 years.

Earlier, Rapid Bus entertained about 30 journalists and photographers from various media organisations at the hotel in a luncheon event.

The guests were treated to a sumptuous buffet and won lucky draw prizes during the two-hour event.

During his speech, Muhammad Yazurin said the last event with Penang media organisations was in 2019 and when the Covid-19 pandemic struck, the annual event was put on hold.

“Last year, we did it in Kuala Lumpur and this year the event is being held in Penang,” he said.