Prasarana Set To Roll Out 1,045 Electric Buses By 2030

Kuala Lumpur and Penang are set to go greener with a fleet of 1,045 electric buses planned for rollout by 2030, aiming to create a more sustainable urban transport network. 

Currently, Prasarana Malaysia Bhd only operates 15 electric buses on the BRT Sunway Line, in service since 2015.

Prasarana’s chairman, Tan Sri Mohd Nasir Ahmad, said staff training is a priority before scaling up operations. 

“We won’t start full electric bus operations until we are fully prepared. Competency is key,” he said, emphasizing fire safety and emergency response.

Electric buses require special handling in emergencies, particularly fire incidents, as the vehicles can be completely destroyed once ignited. 

"To address this, operational staff will undergo training on early warning signs, fire suppression, and evacuation procedures," he added.

The company recently launched a six-month “My Risk, My Responsibility” campaign with the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), focusing on creating a safety-first culture. 

The program includes risk assessments, technical briefings, and emergency procedure training to ensure staff can respond quickly to any incident.

JBPM director-general Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Mohammad highlighted that electric bus fires require a different approach. 

"The priority is not saving the bus but ensuring passengers are evacuated safely and the fire does not spread to other buses or nearby structures

"Depots and charging stations are being closely monitored to prevent high-capacity charging accidents," he noted.