Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook launching the package A of the SBST in Seremban.
SEREMBAN: Ridership on Negri Sembilan's Stage Bus Service Transportation (SBST) programme increased by a third within three months of its launch, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
He said the BAS.MY service had 68,273 commuters in August when it was launched, and this had increased to 90,435 in November.
"This is encouraging but we need to do more to promote the service.
"There is huge potential as the number of people using the service monthly before the Covid-19 pandemic in the state was around 243,000," he said at the launch of Package A of the SBST here on Tuesday (Dec 10).
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Loke launched Package B, covering Kuala Klawang, Kuala Pilah/Bahau, Rantau and Port Dickson, in August.
Package A covers Seremban, Nilai and Tampin.
Loke said under SBST, 85 new buses including mini and low-floor buses will service 21 routes in the state.
Four electric buses will also be used for the Terminal 1-Seremban 2 route.
He said the government has selected two local operators to run SBST in the state so that they could focus on providing efficient service.
The Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) would monitor the service to ensure its reliability, efficiency, and benefit to the public, he added.
The operators would also come up with a special mobile phone application soon to allow users to plan their journey, learn the routes served, and access the bus schedules, he said.
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According to Loke, commuters will soon benefit from the RM50 monthly pass which will allow unlimited travel within the state.
"For example, those travelling for work from Tampin to Seremban now have to pay RM5.90 one way or RM236 to travel both ways for 20 working days.
"Once the pass is introduced, they will only have to pay RM50 which is a saving of 79%," he said, adding that students, senior citizens and persons with disabilities (OKU) may travel for free on the BAS.MY fleet.
Loke said since the Federal Government has allocated RM178.5mil for the SBST in Negri Sembilan alone for five years, more must be done to promote the service.
"It is my hope that the wakil rakyat (elected representatives), for example, will get more people such as students and senior citizens to apply for the concession card which will let them travel for free.
"When there is an increase in ridership, there will be a justification for us to increase the routes," he said.
Loke also hoped the state government and local councils would also complement Putrajaya's initiative by upgrading the relevant infrastructure such as bus stops and walkways so that more people use the service.
