Van-tastic service: (From left) Muhammad Yazurin, Mohd Azharuddin and Prasarana Group CEO of Strategic and Development Dr Prodyut Dutt riding on a Rapid DRT at the media briefing on the fleet at the Taman Bahagia LRT station in Petaling Jaya. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star
PETALING JAYA: An additional 300 new vans have been procured under the Rapid Bus Demand Responsive Transit (DRT) to provide an affordable service and improve first and last mile connectivity in the Klang Valley and Penang, says Prasarana Malaysia Berhad.
Its president and group chief executive Mohd Azharuddin Mat Sah said the vans provide users with an alternative transportation method alongside supplementing the existing fleet of buses operated by Rapid Bus.
ALSO READ: DRT service gaining popularity
“The decision to increase the number of Rapid DRT vans came following positive feedback from users after the service was first launched last year.
“The first batch of vans will begin arriving in stages from December, with the rest expected to be delivered by July next year.
“The Rapid DRT service also allows users to commute to rail stations and their final destinations conveniently,” he told a press conference at the Taman Bahagia LRT station here yesterday.
At present, he said there were nine corridors in the Klang Valley serviced by the Rapid DRT and one route in Penang.
A total of 20 vans are currently in service.
The number of routes will also be gradually increased once the 300 vans arrive in stages.
“We will also be expanding to cover areas without rail or bus services, which will provide residents there with an added service,” Mohd Azharuddin said, citing Kuala Kubu Bharu in Selangor as one of the locations set to receive this service by next year.
As of May this year, he said more than 120,000 consumers have used the service.
He highlighted that each ride would only cost RM1 and payments could be made via Touch N’ Go cards.
The My50 monthly unlimited travel pass priced at RM50 monthly, MyCity One-Day and Two-Day passes, OKU Smile pass and Family Pass also cover the service.
Efforts to procure an open payment system allowing the use of debit or credit cards to make payments are also underway, said Mohd Azharuddin.
“This (RM1) is our introduction price with no decision to increase it yet.
“For now, we will focus on providing the best services to the people and ensuring their satisfaction,” he said.
On the punctuality of the service, Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Muhammad Yazurin Sallij Muhammad Yasin said the Rapid DRT functioned akin to an ehailing ride.
“You will know when the vehicle comes (upon booking) and also the estimated time.
“For example, you can book the van before reaching your stop, so you can travel immediately upon arriving.
“We also conducted some studies which found the average waiting time to be less than five minutes,” he said.
He explained that the vans would pick up users directly from their booking destinations, with the radius of the service being about 2km.
The Rapid DRT service also includes virtual bus stops which will be included in stages, in addition to regular bus stops.
Each van has a maximum capacity of 12 passengers, excluding the driver, and is equipped with closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV) and a tracking system to enhance security.
Operations begin at 6am and end at 11.30pm daily.
At a separate press conference yesterday, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the DRT is part of the complementary service for the last and first mile.
“The DRT is one component of the overall public transport. It’s not going to replace the commuter, LRT or MRT.
“The DRT is the one that covers the residential areas, where we can reduce reliance on transit buses, which are not enough to cover all areas.
“Right now we are adding to it, and Prasarana is taking the initiative. We are also allowing other private sectors to operate as well,” he said.
