KUALA LUMPUR, July 14 — Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd (Rapid Bus) will expand the concept of the on-demand bus service or demand-responsive transit (DRT) in several areas in the Klang Valley to strengthen the public transport system.
Its chief executive officer Muhammad Yazurin Sallij said this follows the successful proof of concept (POC) involving a cooperation with Kumpool’s e-hailing service booking application around Alam Megah in Shah Alam, known as the ‘T757’ route, beginning February 13.
He said through the concept, the bus would move and operate when it receives bookings from users on the application and that this has made bus services more effective from the aspect of operating costs and optimal use.
“The service in Alam Megah is now a regular operation after the POC was seen to be successful. The new POC is currently ongoing at the University Light Rail Transit (LRT) station, which began in May,” he told Bernama.
He said his company would launch up to 10 more routes and is identifying potential areas to use the DRT service which would allow commuters to book an intermediary bus service that operates on demand with a fare of RM1.
“Van or mini-bus services with a capacity of up to 30 people are more efficient and easier to move through busy areas and narrow streets such as residential areas, in addition to having a high frequency.
“This service received a favourable response and the number of daily passengers increased from 20 people at the beginning of the operation to 60 a day. The waiting time has also reduced from 30 minutes to 8.4 minutes,” he said.
He said Rapid Bus would also add 410 buses, including 100 electric buses, which rea expected to be fully operational by the end of next year.
According to Yazurin, at present, only 30 per cent of the buses are in operation due to the assets being over 10 years old and Rapid Bus is in the process of opening tenders for the purchase of new buses.
He said 60 per cent of the new bus additions were smaller-sized buses and for the long term, the feeder service could also be an alternative mode of transport for suburban areas as intermediary transport to train stations located further away from residential areas.
Muhammad Yazurin said Rapid Bus is also trying to overcome the shortage of drivers or bus captains which is seen as one of the main causes of the public losing trust in bus services, including by offering higher wages and incentives.
“For the entire route, we need 3,190 drivers, but at the moment we only have 2,350 drivers. So, there are constraints,” he said.
He said Rapid Bus is also working to add more bus lanes that could reduce travel time following the one implemented on Jalan Ampang beginning July 3.
— Bernama
