Photo: SAMUEL ONG/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: The My50 Pass subsidy for public transport users in the Klang Valley now averages 220,000 subscribers per month, demonstrating the initiative's success in encouraging more people to use public transportation.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said this number has more than doubled from 98,000 since the pass was launched in 2019, and the figure is expected to rise next year with the introduction of the LRT3 line.
“We encourage more people to take advantage of the My50 pass, which helps reduce their living expenses. It costs less than RM2 for commuters to travel from home to work. Even using a motorcycle costs more than the pass.
“I’ve also requested that Prasarana Malaysia Bhd integrate the My50 pass with the Touch 'n Go e-wallet, reducing the need to queue at LRT station counters. Users will soon be able to renew their pass via the e-wallet.
“In the next few months, this integration with Touch 'n Go will be completed, making it more convenient for users by next year,” he said during a press conference after a briefing session with Prasarana following the Budget 2025 announcement by the Prime Minister on Oct 18.
Loke, who met with Prasarana's top management, also took an LRT ride from the Dang Wangi station to Pasar Seni station to observe ridership levels, here on Thursday (Oct 24).
He expressed confidence in the reliability of public transport ridership, especially with an increase among the Kelana Jaya, Ampang, Kajang, and Putrajaya lines.
“Over the last two years, the total number of trains for the Kelana Jaya line has increased from 41 sets (in 2022) to 56 sets currently, on average, each day. The peak-hour waiting period for trains has improved from four minutes to three minutes.
“Although there is still congestion during peak hours, it is more manageable than before. We are targeting a peak-hour waiting period of 2.8 minutes with the addition of six more train sets next year.
“As for the Kajang MRT Line, in 2022 there were 28 train sets, but now we have 39 sets operational. The peak-hour waiting time has reduced from 5.9 minutes to four minutes,” he said, adding that the Putrajaya MRT Line operates with 37 sets.
Loke also highlighted that train reliability has improved due to the increased number of trains since 2022, with a reduction in disruptions, particularly on the Kelana Jaya Line, where incidents have decreased from 49 in 2022 to 21 as of September.
During the Budget 2025 presentation, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that the RM50 unlimited monthly travel pass, My50, would continue in 2025, benefiting 180,000 bus and rail users in the Klang Valley.
The Transport Ministry has been allocated RM750mil in subsidies under Budget 2025 for public transport initiatives, in line with the government's aim of reducing the cost of living and enhancing the quality of public services.
The ministry stated that 44% of its operational allocation would be used for public transport subsidies, including rail and air services.
