GEORGE TOWN: Penang will continue with the free, unlimited rides on all Rapid Penang buses for next year.
Similarly, the state government will also continue with the free rides for Malaysian pedestrians on the Penang ferry.
State Infrastructure and Transport Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari, who announced the good news at the end of his winding up speech at the ongoing state legislative assembly sitting today, said the Penang government has agreed to continue bearing the cost for 2022 as well.
He said for the free, unlimited bus rides, it would only be limited to 7,500 Malaysian commuters every month while the free ferry rides were limited to 65,000 tickets every month.
"We are already offering the free, unlimited bus and ferry rides this year to help ease the people's burdens during the Covid-19 pandemic.
"However, the state government has agreed to extend the free, unlimited bus and ferry rides next year as well. We hope that this will encourage more people to continue using public transport," he said.
Zulkifli Ibrahim (Bersatu - Sungai Acheh), however stood up and told the august house that the Rapid Penang bus service in Sungai Acheh had been stopped and urged the state government to consider reviving the service there.
"From what we learnt, they stopped servicing the route then as it was non-profitable. However, there are students there who depended on the bus service to and back from schools.
"We hope the state government will consider servicing the route once again," he said.
Zairil (DAP - Tanjung Bungah) said he took note of the matter and would raise it with the relevant authorities.
Since March this year, the state government has set aside RM300,000 for some 10,000 Malaysian commuters every month to enjoy free, unlimited rides on all Rapid Penang buses.
On July 1, Malaysian foot passengers using the ferry service began enjoying free rides after the state government set aside RM78,000 for about 65,000 tickets every month.
The move was an extension of the My30 journey pass launched in March this year to fund Rapid Penang bus fares for those who signed up for the pass.