Penang can expect free Rapid shuttle service by year end

Rapid Penang is expected to introduce free shuttle bus service in inner Georgetown by the year end, says its chief executive officer Azhar Ahmad.

He said the infrastructure was ready and the plan was in the final stage of negotiation with the Penang Island Municipal Council and expected to be approved by the year end.

“The route for the free shuttle will cover the T10 route currently serviced by Rapid Penang and the distance is about 13.5km,” he said after the Public Transportation seminar which was also attended by state Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow, here today.

The T10 route covers Weld Quay-Gat Lebuh Chulia-Lebuh Pantai-Lebuh Light- Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling-Lebuh Farquhar-Jalan Penang-Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong-Jalan Ria (Komtar)-Jalan Magazine-Jalan Penang-Jalan Burmah-Jalan Anson-Jalan Macalister-Jalan Penang-Jalan Burmah-Jalan Transfer-Jalan Hutton- Jalan Penang-Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong-Lebuh Carnavon-Jalan Kampung Kolam-Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling-Lebuh Farquhar-Lebuh Light-Lebuh Penang-Lebuh Bishop- Lebuh Pantai-Lebuh Downing-Weld Quay.

Azhar said the buses for the free shuttle service would be stationed at the main terminal at Weld Quay and the route would mainly cover the city area.
“We are ready with the plan and are just waiting for the licence to be given before running the bus service,” he said.

Previously, the Penang city shuttle covered a distance of 8.5km and commuters had to pay RM1. — BERNAMA