Minister hails Penang’s subsidy for public transport, will consider request for additional Rapid buses

Published by Buletin Mutiara • 1/3/2023

TRANSPORT Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook praised the Penang government for heavily subsidising public transport, even providing free bus and ferry rides.

He said his ministry would consider Penang’s request to increase the number of Rapid Penang buses.

“We will discuss with Prasarana and try to facilitate to increase more Rapid buses since the state government has already been subsidising a major portion of the expenses for the public.

“Every year, they are spending RM13 million just for public transportation services. The expenditure increases every year.

“So, definitely Rapid will consider increasing more buses for Penang,” Loke said at a press conference in Komtar during his first official working visit to the state.

Loke says his ministry will consider Penang’s request for additional Rapid Penang buses.

Loke also thanked the state government for spending RM13.7 million this year for the benefit of Penangites by providing CAT Bridge bus service, BEST (Bridge Express Shuttle Transit) free bus services on certain routes around the island  and Seberang Perai, and also providing 150,000 MY50 Mutiara passes.

“Every Penangite who is subscribing to this pass can use the buses for free. Although it is free for them, Rapid charges the state government RM50 for each pass holder.

“Until now, I understand that there are about 13,000 pass holders. The state government is also ready to accept additional subscribers,” Loke told a press conference in Komtar today.

He added that the request for additional Rapid buses includes mini buses or smaller buses that can be operated in certain residential or outlying areas.

Earlier, Loke and Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow attended a meeting with several stakeholders and heads of various government agencies and departments to discuss the airport expansion project, George Town-Bayan Lepas Light Rail Transport, George Town-Butterworth LRT and Penang Bay project among other things.

Among those who attended the meeting were State Secretary Datuk Mohd Sayuthi Bakar, state Transport and Infrastructure Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari, Transport Ministry secretary-general Datuk Jana Santhiran Muniayan, Penang Infrastructure Corporation chief executive officer Datuk Seri Farizan Darus and other heads of departments and agencies.

Story by K.H. Ong

Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi