RapidKL will be pressing around 40 double-decker buses into Klang Valley service in September, and ahead of that, close to 90 of their drivers are being trained to handle the 4.2 metre tall machines, according to a report by The Star.
“This special course for bus captains is conducted by the Rapid Bus Academy, which is equipped with both static as well as dynamic bus simulators to provide the most realistic form of training for those navigating our city roads,” said Rapid Bus CEO Zulkifli Mohd Yusoff.
“With this comprehensive training, we pledge to deliver a satisfactory level of service for our customers,” he told the English-language daily.
Rapid Bus, which comes under Prasarana, said the double-decker routes have not been finalised yet, but are “certain” to be longer, higher-demand ones. The routes also have to take height into account, ensuring the buses clear overhead wires, bridges, signboards and so on.
Built by Alexander Dennis of the UK, the Enviro500 diesel double-deckers will have 83 seats and standing room for 25 people, as well as a screen showing how many free seats there are on the upper deck. It is capable of carrying 50 more people than RapidKL’s current single-decker buses. Costing RM1.4 million each, the double-deckers are disabled-friendly and fitted with security cameras.
Rapid Bus has also unveiled Rapid Point, a concept that involves refurbishing withdrawn buses with comforts like air-con, WiFi, toilets, CCTV, mini-cafes, info screens and waiting areas, giving them a new lease of life as mobile bus stops.
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Everything good seems to happen and available in KL, only in KL, the the rest of the country just simply un-develope. This imbalanced development is not good at all to the country, especially when the rural areas are really financing these developments in KL for not having anything to spend on from their income. In the long run, rural areas will be emptied with residents and therefore no vote to the govt while mass migration to KL will will it to its knees in no time!!
Dah dah, amik BR1M, duduk diam2 dan cukur negara aman.
Too Bad. 1 urban taxpayer contributes 10x more tax on average compared to rural folk.
though i do agree with you but apparently urban area like KL suffer the most traffic congestions everyday so these areas should be in the highest priority list for a good and efficient public transport
The most important aspect is that workers must have a PRIDE in doing their jobs, which is seriously lacking in the transport industry.
They really need to increase pay for bus drivers.
Currently, they try to recruit locals while avoiding foreigners, but take up rate is low.
If the pay can be good, with good increment, long term career development, then only locals would be more willing to consider this path.
The maximum pay I last read was less than RM2,000. How to feed a family? They should earn big trucker’s salary since bus drivers are carrying precious lives.
There are a lot of Vettel Melesen driving commercial vehicles around you and me, thinking that they are driving Ferraris.
Do they need independant psychiatric assessment individually ?
2. Work shcedule too packed, and not enough sleep? Or do you use the allocated rest/sleep time to play games/gamble etc ?
hmmm.. this is good. credit where credit is due
Good news nonetheless
Rapid KL if you’re reading this,
Can you please educate us on the bus routes that you are offering with expected bus frequencies?
I also find it difficult to read the routes you offered as it is digitally displayed on your buses. Hard to read and changes a lot. Put a simple landmark places; SS15 to Pasar Semi for example
i think in the city we dont need a big bulk bus. we need a mini bus,or executive van that are comfort to ride and short time interval .
We do, actually.
Mini bus/executive van though, is suitable as shuttle from housing areas to train stations.
Tell that to London and ask them to shove their iconic red double deckers up Boris Johnson’s arse cuz he dunno how to run a city unlike you. You the great man!
First 7 buses are without wood enforcement. Very poor quality due to built by low minded Scottish. They are working here without proper working permit.
Get out from my country or Immigration will boot you out
What sort of bullshit are you on about. This model is doing very well ferrying commuters in Singapore which in any case is light years ahead of ours. They cannot do with an unreliable bus, so they can’t be wrong. For once Rapid is actually doing a smart purchase
Please consider your own people we are here to train you guys how to build the vehicles and provide very important work to the Pekan area these guys are away from there families for a very long time and feel your comments are offensive
Get ready with your working permit
Well they better be good drivers! No speeding in those tall busses else accidents will happen and a lot of people will get motion sickness!
Rapid group (PG, KTN & KL) are the major player in land transportation. Hundreds & thousand of busses purchased to provide good transportation service to customer.
Dear JPJ, would you want to allow them using special license plate no? I am afraid in 25 years time KL may running out of license plate no. This may ease your official task in identify public vs private vehicles.
We can extend the practice to vehicles like patrol cars & bike, ambulance & bomba juga. Only official vehicle with their ‘rivalry’ is allowed to use this special no.