Selangor Focuses on DRT Services After Smart Bus Success

The free Smart Selangor bus service has recorded over 76 million passengers since it started 10 years ago.

According to the State Investment, Trade and Mobility Committee Chairman Ng Sze Han, the state had spent more than RM180 million on the service since 2015. It now plies 59 routes, with 54 of them serving 252 schools - 26% of schools in Selangor.

According to Ng, further expansion will be based on demand. "For now, we are focusing on the demand-responsive transit (DRT) service to improve first and last mile connectivity,” he added.

Currently, the state government is reviewing proposals from DRT service providers and aims to relaunch the service within three months - though new routes have not been finalised.

During the proposal period, DRT providers will not operate under the Selangor Mobility programme but can continue running their services independently.

The DRT pilot project ran with two service providers - Trek Rides and Mobi - from Nov 21, 2023, to July 31, 2024, across eight areas in Selangor and successfully served 73,389 riders.

Ng spoke to reporters after launching a new covered walkway at SMK Dato’ Ahmad Razali in Kampung Melayu Ampang which is part of the DRT pilot, known as the Keramat Zone.

Ng said the state sees a continued need for DRT vans here, especially since they can navigate narrow roads around places like SMK Dato' Ahmad Razali and Kampung Melayu Ampang.

The new walkway, along with another in Bukit Indah and two bus stops, was built by the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) with a special RM1.15 million allocation from the state.

Ng said it would help improve safety and comfort for students walking to school.

Source: The STAR