Busmen Pledge To Make A Go Of Mini Bus Services

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A trial service of a RapidKL mini-bus, using shorter coaches, proved popular.PETALING JAYA: The Pan-Malaysian Bus Operators Association has welcomed the transport ministry’s announcement that mini-bus services will begin next year, saying it will help in encouraging the use of rail transit
The association’s president, Ashfar Ali, said private bus operators were willing to participate in the government’s initiative as long as the Land Public Transport Agency provided more details about the service
“We are willing, able and ready to work closely with the transport ministry to make this scheme a success for the benefit and convenience of the public, and also to fulfil the government‘s policy of encouraging more people to use public transport,” he said
Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook said earlier this week that Prasarana Malaysia Berhad, Rapid KL and bus companies would collaborate on providing min-bus services, which use shorter coaches
A trial service last month was well-received by the public, with an average of 1,200 passengers rising to 1,800 passengers per day on the T304 (Ampang Point to Bukit Indah) route
Transport planning expert Rosli Azad Khan said the government “finally got it right” with this move, saying standard-size buses were too onerous because of their size and bulk
Rosli told FMT that mini-bus services could reduce journey times as the vehicle would be able to manoeuvre easily in tighter areas, leading to less delay, and shorter waiting time for passengers
“This arrangement will then encourage more people to use the feeder services and eventually MRT usage,” he added
Rosli said the previous governments had not learnt the lessons of the failure of Triton feeder buses in the 1990s. The introduction of MRT feeder buses in 2017 had failed to fulfil its objective based on the lack of use by people
“This approach did not help to optimise the first and last mile for passengers using MRT as the travelling time and waiting time was far too long.”Dego Ride founder Nabil Feisal Bamadhaj proposed the adoption of new technology to provide convenience for the customer
For example, passenger pickups can be enhanced, he said. “Routes can be more optimised and a more efficient transport option could be run by Prasarana, allowing them more savings while meeting the needs of the public,” said Nabil
Comfort and convenience were key to ensuring customer satisfaction, he said. In the past, minibuses tended to be overcrowded
Mini-bus services using pink van-size coaches were popular in the 1980s and 1990s, but were ended in 1998. - FMT

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