KUALA LUMPUR: Some RM1.9bil will be spent to purchase more than 1,500 buses to replace the existing fleet operated by Prasarana Malaysia Bhd in the Klang Valley and Penang, says Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan.
The Finance Minister II said that the delivery of 310 diesel buses and 250 EV buses is currently underway, with the remaining 1,000 buses to be delivered under phase two.
“This initiative does not only involve the increase in public transport assets but will also include discussions between the Transport Ministry and local councils to increase bus lanes,” he said at a press conference when launching the new open payment system for the Rapid KL On-Demand (DRT) in Cheras here yesterday.
Amir Hamzah added that the allocation does not include RM55mil to expand the DRT last-mile connectivity public transport system in the Klang Valley and Penang.
Although the last-mile connectivity had been a long-standing issue during previous administrations, it is now being resolved under the current Madani government, he said.
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said that the fleet of DRT vans is set to increase from the existing 110 to 320 by June.
Loke said that the move is necessary as the shuttle service will be expanded to cover 101 zones in the Klang Valley and Penang.
At present, 110 vans are operating routes in 37 zones in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, he said.
Meanwhile, Loke also announced the introduction of a new open payment system for the DRT vans service.
“The new open payment system will be introduced in stages, starting with seven zones.
“All 20 vans operating in these zones will be equipped with scanning devices that allow payment via debit and credit cards,” he said.
With the new payment system, he said commuters need not worry about having insufficient funds in their Touch ‘n Go cards.
At present, users can make payments using the Touch ‘n Go card, MyRapid Concession Card, OKU Smile Travel Pass, and Unlimited Travel Pass (My50, MyCity & Family Pass).
On the replacement of the existing fleet of Prasarana buses, Loke said that it was necessary as the buses were more than a decade old.
Prasarana Malaysia Berhad is a wholly-owned government entity, established by the Finance Ministry under the Ministry of Finance (Incorporation) Act 1957.
It owns and operates Rapid Rail, comprising the LRT, MRT and Monorail lines as well as Rapid Bus services in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang, and Pahang.
On a separate issue, Loke said that reckless express bus drivers will face suspension or revocation of their licence by the Road Transport Department.
He said the move will prevent express bus drivers from flouting traffic regulations.
“Any violations will result in the suspension of their licence, and we will instruct the company to take such action.
“Referring to the incident involving Konsortium E-Mutiara Bhd (E-Mutiara), the company has already suspended the driver who was driving recklessly,” he added.
On Wednesday, E-Mutiara suspended a driver for driving an express bus recklessly on the Kuala Krai-Gua Musang road recently.
