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Published: Tuesday January 12, 2010 MYT 9:52:00 AM
Updated: Tuesday January 12, 2010 MYT 1:47:03 PM

RapidBET bus system from KL to Kota Damansara and Sungai Long (Update)

By YENG AI CHUN


KUALA LUMPUR: Bus users in Shah Alam and Subang Jaya can look forward to cutting their travel time to the city centre by half when the RapidBET bus system is rolled out next week in their area.

They join commuters from Kota Damansara and Bandar Sungai Long, who started using the system Wednesday.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat announced the second set of routes after launching the RapidBET1 bus from Kota Damansara to Pasar Seni, via the Penchala Link.

The Bandar Sungai Long to Pasar Seni via the Grand Saga Highway route also began its run Tuesday.

He said the RapidBET bus system is part of the effort taken for the improvement of urban public transport under the national key results areas (NKRAs).

“What is important is that we walk the talk, we identifed the problems, we brainstormed day and night over the concerns of the people in the hope that by initiating some of the changes, we would be able to shorten the travelling time in the best interest of improving the quality of life and quality of bus service for the commuters.

“And I persume by so doing, ultimately this will also be a good booster to our bus service and at the same time, I believe this will attract more commuters to help enhance the ridership as well,” said Ong in a press conference.

Ong had boarded the RapidBET1 bus from Kota Damansara to Pasar Seni early in the morning with Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd Chairman Tan Sri Izzuddin Dali, group managing director Datuk Idrose Mohamed and RapidKL officers on its maiden route.

The system called Rapid Bus Express Transit (RapidBET), is part of an overall plan to upgrade the speed and comfort of the Klang valley’s bus system, cuts travel time by half and is available at peak hours in the morning and evening at 15-minute intervals.

RapidBET utilises less congested highways to link heavily populated areas and the city centre.

The service has limited stops and aims to get the commuters to work in half the time of the regular buses.

“RapidBET would also be extended to other areas but it would depend on the demand for such a service.

“Other states would also be in the plan as Klang Valley is not our only focus. But for a beginning, we want to make sure the system works before extending it to other areas such as Penang and Johor Bahru,” he said.

Ong added the Government is also looking into having feeder buses and park-and-ride facilities in residential areas to further cut commuting time.

Currently, the regular bus U88, plies the route from Kota Damansara to Pasar Seni and the journey takes two hours or more depending on the traffic.

Maximum fare for U88 is at RM3, which is the same as the fare for RapidBET1.

The RapidBET1 bus from Kota Damansara to Pasar Seni operates during peak office hours from 6.30am to 7.15am and from 6pm to 6.45pm.

It aims to get commuters to work and back from work within an hour bus ride.

There are 3,000 commuters using the bus U88 during peak hours and about 30% of the commuters embark at the Pasar Seni station.

Related Stories:
Highway buses in Klang Valley
RapidBET to cut travel times by half

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