KUALA LUMPUR: A pilot project to provide free shuttle bus service from Kuala Lumpur Sentral to Parliament was launched on Monday (Feb 20), says Anthony Loke.
The Transport Minister said the aim of the project was to encourage greater use of public transport by members of the public while also easing congestion in Parliament.
"We want to provide an alternative means of transportation to Parliament for MPs, Parliament personnel, officers from the ministries and media.
"This is because of the limited parking space in Parliament.
"On average, about 2,000 cars enter Parliament a day when in session but there are less than 500 parking spaces.
"This means that three out of four vehicles that enter Parliament find it hard to get parking," he told reporters after taking a ride on the free shuttle bus service from Kuala Lumpur Sentral to Parliament complex on Monday (Feb 20).
Loke said that his ministry would pay RM1,600-a-day for the use of two Rapid KL 30-seat buses for the pilot project.
He said that buses would only make one stop near the car park next to the Botanical Gardens before heading to Parliament.
He added that the shuttle bus service would operate from 8am until Parliament adjourns for the day.
Loke dismissed those who had criticised the pilot project on social media when he announced it two weeks ago.
"Some had criticised that MPs get transport allowance so why should the service be free for them.
"The move is more of creating a signal and message to the public to encourage the use of public transport," he said.
Loke hopes the pilot project would generate more awareness among the public on the use of public transport.
"We want to show that using public transport is trendy and good and become a norm," he said.
Depending on the success of the pilot project, Loke said the free shuttle bus service would be made available for future Parliament sessions.
Also taking a ride on the inaugural free shuttle service was Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung who said that he would continue to use the bus service from time to time.
He said it was "difficult and painful" to drive at times in congested traffic from his home in Sunway to Parliament.
