Free Rapid Bus Rides In Penang Until End Of The Year

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Zairil Khir Johari (right) says the initiative is to reduce the burden on Penangites amid the Covid-19 pandemic.GEORGE TOWN: Starting March 1, MY30 Mutiara pass holders can enjoy unlimited free Rapid bus rides for the rest of 2021.
Penang Infrastructure and Transport Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari today said the current pass holders would not need to pay a monthly renewal fee of RM30 starting next month.
He said the initiative was to reduce the transportation financial burden of Penangites amid the Covid-19 pandemic and to encourage the use of the public transportation provided.
“Under the initiative, the Penang government will bear a total cost of RM3 million, which is equivalent to 10 months’ worth of renewal fee for 10,000 MY30 Mutiara pass holders.
“Currently, there are around 2,300 pass holders, but we also welcome new MY30 Mutiara pass holders to enjoy the same benefit,” he said at a press conference here.
According to him, anyone in Penang who holds a Malaysian identity card could register to obtain the MY30 Mutiara pass.
“For first-time MY30 Mutiara pass holders, they only have to pay a total of RM10, comprising RM5 for the card processing fee and another RM5 for the card’s ‘purse value’.
“Existing pass holders will only need to renew their pass but without having to pay anything at all,” Zairil said.
Asked about the power cable fire on the Penang Bridge, he said Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) was currently conducting a forensic investigation to identify the cause.
“The nine power cables on Penang Bridge are around 30 years old but TNB carries out maintenance regularly. It conducts tests on each of the cables there every four to five years,” he added. - FMT

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