KOTA BARU: The federal government spends more than RM200mil annually for the implementation of Stage Bus Service Transformation or BAS.My nationwide.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke (pic), who disclosed this, said public response to the service has been encouraging and continues its upward trend including in Kelantan, where BAS.My has been running for over six months.
“Although this is its official launch, passenger numbers have been rising over the past few months, and the BAS.My service has been well received by Kelantan folk mainly senior citizens, students and persons with disabilities (PWDs),” he told reporters after launching the BAS.My Kota Baru here yesterday, Bernama reported.
Loke said Mentri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud had reported positive feedback from residents, including in his state constituency, with many users registering to enjoy the service.
The minister said the use of concession passes and free fares for senior citizens, students and PWDs has been a key factor in boosting ridership, adding that the government encouraged eligible groups to utilise the service.
Loke said BAS.My operates under a fixed-cost model with the government paying operators monthly based on scheduled trips and distances, regardless of passenger numbers.
Under the five-year service contracts, operators face no financial risk, enabling them to secure financing and invest in new buses.
“This approach differs from the past, when operators were exposed to losses, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic when ridership declined and services became unsustainable,” he said.
For Kelantan, Loke said the government allocated more than RM21mil annually to ensure continuity of the BAS.My service.
While ridership nationwide has generally been encouraging, he noted that usage rates varied by state depending on travel patterns and public acceptance.
“We hope Kelantan will be among the states with high usage as the policy is applied uniformly nationwide, including concession passes and free fares for PWDs, senior citizens and students.”
Loke also said the government is mindful of public transport costs borne by commuters, citing the introduction of the BAS.My 30-Day Unlimited Travel Pass.
The pass, launched in August 2023 at RM50, was reduced to RM30 last November following recommendations by the Land Public Transport Agency.
“This means users in Kota Baru, for example, only pay RM30 for unlimited travel on all 16 BAS.My routes for 30 days,” he said.
By comparison, he said commuters travelling daily from Tumpat to Kota Baru normally pay RM2.60 per trip, or RM5.20 per day, but with the 30-Day BAS.My Pass, the cost for 20 working days would be RM30 instead of RM104, representing a 71% saving.
The BAS.My Kota Baru service covers 16 routes across 11 local authority areas, including Kota Baru Municipal Council and district councils of Bachok, Gua Musang, Ketereh, Kuala Krai, Machang, Pasir Mas, Pasir Puteh, Tanah Merah, Tumpat and Jeli.
The service is supported by 64 buses comprising eight electric buses, 24 low-floor mini buses and 32 mini buses, all equipped with air-conditioning, GPS systems, electronic ticketing machines and CCTVs to ensure passenger safety and comfort.
