KUALA LUMPUR: Some RM1.9bil will be spent to purchase more than 1,500 buses to replace the existing fleet operated by Prasarana Malaysia Bhd in the Klang Valley and Penang, says Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan.
The Finance Minister II said that the delivery of 310 diesel buses and 250 EV buses is currently underway under phase one, with the remaining 1,000 buses to be done under phase two.
"This initiative does not only involve the increase in public transport assets but will also include discussions between the Transport Ministry and local councils authorities to increase bus lanes," he said at a press conference when launching the new open payment system for the Rapid KL On-Demand (DRT) at the KL-Rapid Depot in Cheras on Thursday (March 27).
Hamzah added that the allocation does not include RM55mil to expand the DRT last-mile connectivity public transport system in the Klang Valley and Penang.
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said that the fleet of DRT vans is set to be increased from the existing 110 to 320 by June.
Loke said that the move is in tandem with the shuttle service’s expansion to 101 zones in the Klang Valley and Penang.
Presently, 110 vans are operating routes in 37 zones in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, he said.
Meanwhile, Loke also announced the introduction of a new open payment system for DRT van services.
"The new open payment system will be introduced in stages starting with seven zones.
"All 20 vans operating in these zones will be equipped with scanning devices that cater to both debit or credit cards," he said.
With the new payment system, he said that commuters need not worry about having insufficient funds in their Touch 'n Go cards.
Right now users can pay with the Touch ‘n Go card, MyRapid Concession Card, OKU Smile Travel Pass, and Unlimited Travel Pass (My50, MyCity & Family Pass).
On the replacement of the existing fleet of Prasarana buses, Loke said that it was necessary as the existing buses are more than a decade old.
Prasarana Malaysia Berhad is a wholly owned government entity, established by the Finance Ministry under the Ministry of Finance (Incorporation) Act 1957. It owns and operates Rapid Rail comprising the LRT, MRT and Monorail lines as well as Rapid Bus services here, Selangor, Penang, and Pahang.
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