GEORGE TOWN: Penang is entering a new phase of public transportation as Prasarana Malaysia Bhd, through its subsidiary Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd (Rapid Bus), will begin gradually replacing ageing Rapid Penang buses with electric vehicles (EVs) starting this year.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said that under the first phase, a total of 250 electric buses are expected to be delivered in stages from March this year until March 2027, comprising 75 buses for Rapid Penang, which are expected to begin operating in Penang from May, and 175 buses for Rapid KL.
"To ensure the smooth operation of these EV buses, the government, through Prasarana, is developing EV charging infrastructure at Rapid Penang depots, and this process has already begun.
He was speaking at a press conference after an inspection of Rapid Penang’s diesel bus operations here Monday (Jan 12). Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow also attended.
Loke said the move is in line with Prasarana’s new direction that focuses on the use of environmentally friendly buses to reduce carbon emissions and enhance the quality of public transport services.
He expressed confidence that the introduction of electric buses would be a game changer for Penang’s public transport system and would further support the state government’s aspiration to make Penang a more environmentally sustainable state.
Loke also said Rapid Penang will receive the remaining 60 of the 70 diesel buses measuring 8.9 metres in length in stages by the end of February, completing part of the final batch of 175 diesel buses from a total of 310 units acquired by Rapid Bus since July 2025 for operations in the Klang Valley and Penang.
On procurement costs, he said EV buses are, on average, almost twice as expensive as diesel buses, with an estimated price of more than RM1mil per unit.
Meanwhile, Loke said the Rapid Penang On-Demand service, which uses vans, has received encouraging response, with 50 vans currently operating in the state.
Following a request from the state government, Prasarana plans to add 170 more vans to expand the service, with the procurement process expected to begin in the second half of this year.
"This addition will provide more options for users, increase capacity and expand the coverage of public transport services in Penang,” he said. - Bernama
