Negri gets two new stage bus operators

SEREMBAN: Two new operators have been appointed to provide stage bus services in Negri Sembilan, says transport committee chairman J. Arul Kumar.

The two companies were appointed by the Transport Ministry on April 1, said Arul Kumar, who also holds the local government development and housing committee portfolios.

"They have a contract to provide the service for five years. From July 1, both operators will have to provide a total fleet of 100 new buses, including four electric buses, for stage bus services throughout the state," he said here on Thursday (May 9).

The previous operators' contract ended on March 31, he added.

He said the operators would have a three-month transition period until July 1 before they are required to provide full service.

"Details, including the names of the operators, would be announced in due course by the ministry. What I can say now is that they are completely new and would not come under the myBAS banner," he said.

The myBAS project, which started here in 2015, was part of the Stage Bus Service Transformation programme aimed at putting buses on Malaysian roads that have been without public transportation for years.

At that time, the Federal Government had set aside RM100mil for myBAS services in five states.

Arul Kumar said a study would also be commissioned on the routes to be serviced by the operators.

This was to ensure that the service was truly needed on these routes and if ridership would eventually increase.

"We are also looking at several new initiatives to increase ridership," he said, adding that this would be done in collaboration with the ministry.