(From sixth left, black jacket): Ramachandran, Amirudin and Ng at the launch of the DRT service in Gombak.
GOMBAk residents can now benefit from the third Demand-Responsive Transit (DRT) service called ‘Trek Rides’ in the area.
Mobility-as-a-service company Asia Mobility Technologies Sdn Bhd (Asia Mobiliti) launched the service which will cover key residential, commercial and public service areas around Bandar Baru Selayang.
This will include Kampung Laksamana, Kampung Nakhoda, Wira Damai, Kampung Sungai Tua and two public transit stations – KTM Batu Caves and Dataran Bandar Baru Selayang.
There are 71 pick-up and drop-off locations.
Trek Rides is being offered free for three months from June 12.
The service, which uses two 15-seater transit vans, is available from 8am to 8pm, daily.
Users must download the Trek Rides app to use the service.
The initiative is supported by the office of Gombak MP and incumbent Sungai Tua state assemblyman Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
“DRT is a reliable, affordable, efficient and dynamic service that can benefit commuters on a sustainable basis,” said Amirudin, who is also Selangor caretaker Mentri Besar.
“We are excited to partner with Asia Mobiliti for first-and-last-mile connectivity as the state government’s mission has always been to promote public transportation usage.
“The state is planning to introduce more DRT zones across Selangor in the near future.”
Amirudin was speaking after launching the DRT service at Kompleks Sukan Seri Siantan, Gombak.
Also present was caretaker state local government, public transportation and new village development committee chairman Ng Sze Han.
Asia Mobiliti chief executive officer and co-founder Ramachandran Muniandy said, “We are pleased to work with the Selangor government to introduce the DRT concept.
“Bandar Baru Selayang is a bustling residential and commercial area that is underserved by public transit.
“Following the launches in Bandar Puteri Puchong and Universiti Malaya-Bangsar South DRT zones, we will be expanding Trek Rides’ coverage areas across the Klang Valley.”
Ramachandran said Asia Mobiliti’s goal was to provide a digital, reliable, cost-effective and convenient service that meets commuters’ needs.
“We believe that solving the first-and-last-mile journey with DRT will effect behavioural change that will result in increased use of public transport in our cities,” he said.
DRT is a new form of public transit service powered by software.
The system responds to multiple bookings within a predefined zone or route, and optimises the dispatching of vehicles by factoring in waiting time, travel time and traffic.
