App-based shuttle service a boon to Subang Jaya folk

AN ehailing bus booking app, Kumpool, which was introduced in Subang Jaya, is seeing encouraging response.

Designed to improve public transport accessibility, Kumpool is a shuttle service that combines the advantages of a traditional bus system and e-hailing.

Trips are priced at RM1 and cover more than 200 stops around Subang Jaya, USJ and Bandar Sunway.

The service is available from 8am to 8pm daily.

The app allows users to book their trips in advance.

The app also has a tracking system. It allows users to estimate the time of arrival.

“With the increasing number of vehicles, traffic congestion will only worsen,” said Subang Jaya assemblyman Michelle Ng Mei Sze.

“Initially, we introduced a new intra-city route with Prasarana Bhd.

“However, due to the movement control order, the trial project had to be stopped.

“From there, we were able to identify the constraints of the traditional bus system that led to low ridership.

“Among them were the lack of bus stops, unstrategic bus stop locations and reliability problems.

“There was also a wastage of resources if there were no riders for a trip.

“In efforts to address these issues, we decided to introduce Kumpool here,” she added.

Kumpool head Goh Chun Hean said since its launch, Kumpool had received overwhelming support from the community.

“Many found the service highly accessible and safe.

“Thanks to the location tracking feature, even parents are starting to use Kumpool to send their children to school,” he said.

They were speaking at USJ 9 in Subang Jaya, where Ng also announced the completion of a 4m by 4m pebble walk with reflexology elements at Jalan USJ 9/5 that cost RM19,997.

USJ 9 Residents Association chairman Khoo Kah Jin said it would help people to live a healthy lifestyle, especially senior citizens in the neighbourhood.