Prasarana Plans To Add 300 Buses In 2024

Prasarana Malaysia Berhad (Prasarana), through Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd (Rapid Bus), plans to add more than 300 vehicles in 2024, including 100 electric buses worth RM180 million.

According to Prasarana Group President and CEO Mohd Azharuddin Mat Sah, the initial step of raising the number of buses solely featured the Rapid KL service due to high demand among residents in the capital.

"We will begin receiving bids in the first quarter of 2023, and the funding allocated also covers the task of updating the infrastructure and electrical wires at the station depot for the charging process."

"Currently, there are 1,540 Rapid KL buses, however only 1,183 run every day." "The number of buses remains low when compared to countries with effective public transportation, like Singapore," he told Bernama.

Prasarana would deploy electric buses as an innovation, with 45 minibuses measuring seven to eight metres in length and 55 large-sized buses ranging 10 to 12 metres.

"As a result of this reform, we are hearing thoughts and recommendations from the people who want the minibus service restored."

"We observe that the minibus service is more efficient," he said, "since it is simpler to go through congested places and tight streets such as residential areas, in addition to having a high frequency."

According to Mohd Azharuddin, Rapid KL experimented with using electric buses for the Sunway Line's Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor in the operation of its bus services on two selected bus routes for three months from April to June 13 last year.

Route 400: Damai Perdana to Lebuh Pudu Hub via Bukit Bintang and Route 650: Taman Desa to Pasar Seni Hub via nighttime charging are the two trial routes involved.

"As a consequence of the trial results, we are convinced that we will be able to operate 100 electric buses in conjunction with the future expansion of the rail system, thus providing an optimal service to public transportation passengers," he added.