GEORGE TOWN: RAPID Penang will expand its bus service from Batu Kawan to Komtar via the Second Penang Bridge soon.
Its chief operating officer Major (Rtd) Mohd Shukri Abdul Rahman said the project is expected to be launched in the second quarter of next year.
“We are liaising with the Penang Island Municipal Council and Seberang Perai Municipal Council.
“Once our project is approved, we will begin our analysis to create a bus route that connects the island and mainland using the Second Penang Bridge,” he said after Rapid Penang’s seventh anniversary celebration recently.
A bus hub would be located in Batu Kawan, a few kilometres away from a high density area.
“Normally, we would build a bus hub in a high density area and we are ready with the plan. Once we receive the green light from both local councils, we will proceed with the construction work and route analysis,” Shukri said.
He said initially there would be two buses used for this project.
“We will begin with two buses and we will undertake our route analysis.
“Once there is a high enough demand, we will accommodate more buses to fulfil the public’s needs.”
Besides the Second Bridge, Shukri said there were plans by Rapid Penang to provide public transport for people living in Parit Buntar.
“We are planning ahead to extend our services up to Parit Buntar. We have received suggestions to build a hub there by Parit Buntar folk. We will review the suggestions and it is included in our long-term plans.”
Meanwhile, the anniversary celebration which took place at its headquarters in Lorong Kulit was attended by seven commuters who were randomly selected.
The seven commuters included a disabled postgraduate student from Universiti Sains Malaysia, Khu Li Pang, 31, who uses the Rapid bus service daily to travel from her home to her university.
They were treated to a high tea and were given a one-month free pass for next month.
Shukri said more than 85,000 commuters were using Rapid buses daily on the island.
“With the introduction of new routes and shorter waiting times, more people opt for our buses.”