Selangor’s free bus service to use electric vehicles next year

Since the launch of the service on July 1, 2015, until Aug 31 this year, the state has provided 100 buses to cover 30 routes in various local municipalities. - Filepic

SELANGOR will introduce electric buses for its Selangor Smart Bus services next year.

Selangor Investment, Industrial and Trade, Small and Medium Industry and Transportation chairman Datuk Teng Chang Khim said this move was in line with the state’s Green Technology Action Plan 2015-2018.

He added that since the launch of the service on July 1, 2015, until Aug 31 this year, the state has provided 100 buses to cover 30 routes in various local municipalities.

The cost involved was RM42,536,000 and the service recorded a total of 10,734,359 ridership.

“About 72% of the budget is borne by the state while the remaining 28% is borne by the local municipalities.

“On Sept 24, Selangor made it into the Malaysia Book of Records for providing the most number of free rides to the public,” he said.

Teng, together with Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) president Suliman Abd Rahman, Selayang MP William Leong, Rawang assemblyman Gan Pei Nei and MPS councillors launched the second Smart Bus route in Selayang at The Reef business centre in Rawang recently.

The new 20km route operates from 6am to 10pm daily with four buses running on 30-minute intervals.

The disabled-friendly buses had priority seating, CCTV, free WiFi and could accommodate up to 60 passengers.

The route starts at Tesco Rawang before proceeding to Rumah PKNS Batu 16, Taman Kanching, Taman Tun Teja, Tun Teja Apartments, SK Tun Teja, Taman Muhibbah, SMK Tun Perak, Beringin Apartment, Taman Bersatu, Taman Bersatu Phase 3, Batu 17 in Rawang, KTM Komuter Rawang, Mydin Rawang and stops at Rawang bus and taxi terminal.

Suliman suggested for a third Selangor Smart Bus service for Kundang, Bandar Tasik Puteri, Bandar Country Homes and its surroundings as it would benefit many residents there.

Teng told MPS to conduct a study on the route to see if there would be enough ridership if the service was introduced there.

Teng explained that the state bears the cost of RM800 for each bus, a day, and it must have sufficient ridership to make it feasible.

MPS had launched its first Selangor Smart Bus service in April last year.