By Zareef Muzammil
SHAH ALAM, Dec 22 — The demand-responsive transit (DRT) services operating in the Bukit Antarabangsa state constituency since the start of this month have facilitated users’ movements.
Its state assemblyman Kamri Kamaruddin said the service by Trek Rides helps address the issue of first and last-mile connectivity in public transportation by encompassing 106 stops in the Ampang zone.
“This service facilitates users as, in some areas, they find it difficult to access public transportation, especially those in narrow and hilly areas.
“So far, there is no exact number of passengers using this service as it is still in the early stages, but there is clearly demand for it,” he said when contacted yesterday.
Kamri added the pilot project’s promotion will be intensified so users are aware of the service’s existence, thereby increasing its number of users.
“For the initial stage, the DRT service is implemented in areas where we feel there was a lot of demand before. If there is no demand, we will consider the need for changes.
“This is why we will intensify publicity for this service by informing residents every time we meet them, but the relevant authorities also need to do the same,” he said.
On November 14, state executive councillor for mobility Ng Sze Han said the DRT service operates in four densely populated and narrow route areas, involving Puchong, Bandar Utama, Ampang, and Subang Jaya.
It will be implemented for six months as one of the efforts to replace the Smart Selangor Bus, with users being charged RM2 while the state administration bears the excess costs.
The DRT system is also driven by smart software to ensure users from different locations can be picked up and dropped off at different destinations according to the specified time.
The stops in the Ampang zone include the Light Rail Transit (LRT) stations at Pandan Jaya, Pandan Indah, Cempaka, Cahaya, and Ampang, as well as the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) stations at Cochrane, Pantai Hospital Ampang, and Ampang Point.
Users seeking the DRT service may download the Trek Rides app from the AppStore and Google PlayStore or visit the website http://www.trekrides.com.
