REGULAR users, especially students, say the RM30 monthly subsidy for the demand-responsive transit (DRT) service in Selangor has eased their financial burden.
The initiative, which commenced on June 1, was part of the first phase of the Selangor Resilience Strengthening Package (PPDTS) designed to ease the rising cost of living.
Lee Jun Xian, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics at Universiti Malaya (UM), said the subsidy, valid for six months, has reduced his monthly transportation expenses, which used to be RM100.
“I use the DRT service around 10 times a week or even more, mainly for travelling from my house to LRT stations or attending classes at university.
“My transportation expenses increased when RapidKL excluded the DRT service from the My50 unlimited travel pass.
“Now, by combining the My50 pass and the RM30 subsidy, my monthly transportation costs have reduced significantly,” he said.
However, Lee said the subsidy was still insufficient to fully cover his monthly DRT expenses.
“I hope an unlimited DRT usage package, like the My50 pass, is introduced.
“This would allow frequent users like me to enjoy more affordable and seamless travel on public transport.”
A DRT ride costs RM2 per journey.
In the recent Selangor state assembly meeting, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari had announced RM10.4mil allocation for the initiative, benefitting 50,000 users.
Angel Wong, a Business Administration student in UM, said the RM30 reduction in her monthly transportation costs had made a huge difference.
Wong, who uses the DRT service four to six times a week, suggested for an integrated package to be introduced, combining the DRT service with the My50 pass.
“Increasing the number of DRT vans during peak hours would also encourage more people to use this mode of transport.”
Another commuter Terence Fam, who uses the DRT service three to four days a week, said the subsidy would encourage him to opt for it more often.
Applications for the subsidy can be made through the Nine app, which consolidates government services, public transport, smart parking and digital payments into a single platform in Selangor.
