The DRT trial run in Bandar Puteri Puchong will cover 17 residential and 20 commercial stops including the Bandar Puteri and Taman Perindustrian LRT train stations.
The Selangor government plans to expand the Demand-Responsive Transit (DRT) service that is now at Bandar Puteri Puchong in Selangor to other areas within a month or two, after the first trial run started this month.
The DRT service uses vans to provide ride-hailing services for selected neighbourhoods.
It is now free on a three-month trial basis in Bandar Puteri Puchong.
State local government, public transportation and new village development committee chairman Ng Sze Han said the neighbourhood was picked because it fit well with the DRT concept.
“A key element is proximity to public transport as the DRT service aims to improve first- and last-mile connectivity.
“The next location for the project could be in Ampang or Gombak.
“By implementing more trial runs in different locations, we hope to improve the DRT system,” he said.
Ng, who is also Kinrara assemblyman, said the DRT was part of the RM25mil Selangor Mobiliti initiative to improve the state’s transport ecosystem as announced in the state budget for 2023.
“Mobility not only encompasses public transport such as trains and buses, but also other ways to move a person from one point to another using transport modes like bicycles and ride-hailing vehicles.
“A key difference is that a DRT service is restricted to one zone or a shorter distance.
“The system also uses intelligent software to ensure the estimated time of arrival is as accurate as possible for both pick-up and arrival.”
The trial run in Bandar Puteri Puchong uses vans and covers 17 residential and 20 commercial stops.
The stops include the Bandar Puteri and Taman Perindustrian LRT train stations.
Those interested must sign-up to take the free rides, said Ng.
“The sign-ups from residents have been very good so far, although we don’t have the exact figures yet because registration has just started,” he added.
“I encourage those residing and working within Bandar Puteri Puchong to sign up.
“The DRT is a shared service so its fees will be quite low when it is implemented,” he told reporters during the “Sweat It Out: A Celebration of Women” event that was held at Taman Wawasan Recreational Park in Puchong.
Ng said local councils in Selangor have also been instructed to improve walkways in their areas, especially those that connect to train stations.
“There are plans to launch a state-wide DRT service.
“We are in the process of getting proposals from several vendors,” said Ng, adding that vendor Trek Rides proposed Bandar Puteri Puchong as the location for the project’s trial run.
In a social media post, Ng described DRT as being similar to ride-hailing, but made for public transport.
“It is also similar to van pooling, but has added software intelligence to help you get to your destination on time,” he stated.
The United Kingdom’s Department of Transport in its website defines DRT as “a flexible service that provides shared transport to users who specify their desired location and time of pick-up and drop-off.”
DRT can complement fixed route public transport services and improve mobility in low-density areas and at low-demand times of the day, it said.
For details or to sign up for the DRT trial run in Bandar Puteri Puchong, visit www.trekrides.com
