Penang extends unlimited free public bus service into 2022

Passengers waiting for the free public bus at the Rapid Penang bus terminal in Weld Quay, George Town.

PENANG has extended its free bus service into next year, with unlimited rides on Rapid Penang on all routes.

Believed to be the first such service in the country, state transport committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said it is expected to further ease the burden of Penangites.

He said the move will see the state spending RM375,000 a month or RM4.5mil a year.

“However, for 2022 we will be allocating RM50 Pas Mutiara cards for only 7,500 commuters per month compared to 10,000 commuters this year.

(From left) Lim, Ku Jamil, Zairil and deputy State Secretary Datuk Azhar Arshad having a chat after the press conference in Komtar, Penang.

“Commuters can renew their cards for free at all Rapid Penang kiosks, with first-time users being charged RM10 for the card and RM5 of ‘purse value’,” said Zairil at a press conference in Komtar yesterday.

He also announced that the state would extend its free CAT Bridge Bus service for other routes apart from the Seberang Jaya route, for a year from Jan 1 to Dec 31, 2022.

“We will be using 10 buses with the present route retained, with 15 to 30 minute intervals during peak hours, beginning 6am daily.

The CAT Bridge Bus service will be extended for other routes apart from the Seberang Jaya route from Jan 1. — Filepic

“We hope with these initiatives, more people would opt for public transport rather than use their own vehicles,” he said.

This year, the state government has absorbed the RM30 charge for Pas Mutiara cards from March, enabling the people to enjoy free unlimited rides on more than 50 Rapid Penang routes, including the mainland.

Also present at the press conference were Rapid Penang (northern region) head Ku Jamil Zakaria and transportation section head Datuk Lim Hock Seng.