Penang is hoping that the free public stage bus service – based on a spoke-hub model – that will be introduced next month will provide a temporary fix in easing the growing traffic congestion in the state, theSundaily reports.
The Congestion Alleviation Transport (CAT) free bus service is scheduled to kick off on April 1 in 12 major areas, six on the island and six on the mainland. These are Alma, Ayer Itam, Balik Pulau, Batu Kawan, Bayan Baru, Bertam, Bukit Mertajam, George Town, Nibong Tebal, Seberang Jaya, Sungai Dua and Tanjung Tokong
State executive councillor in charge of traffic management, Chow Kon Yeow, said the CAT service – which is aimed at existing bus users, new commuters, students, blue-collar workers and tourists – will help to scale down the congestion that Penangites face daily.
The idea of introducing the free bus service first took shape in 2014 and the state government has been working with Prasarana-owned Rapid Penang to realise the plan.
According to Rapid Penang senior manager Osman Amir, the ‘Hub & Spoke’ concept will allow buses to pass through all the designated stops at a higher frequency, cover areas that have no prior bus service and increase the usage of public transportation. He added that Rapid Penang will be contributing 52 buses to the CAT project, and the operating hours for the service are from 6 am to 10 pm.
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Back in the 90s when I was a teen, I find traveling via bus in Penang to be so easy – either take the Transit Link or the Bas Mini direct from Jalan Masjid Negeri direct to Bayan Baru, or go to Komtar & catch direct bus there, or pusing-pusing by going to Komtar, take the bus that passes through Paya Terubong into Bayan Baru, then connect with the Bas Mini back home.
How come now the bus system so complicated one?
Penang is great. Got good leadership. This is why when you go to Penang, it feels like Singapore. So clean and progressive.
Haha..not to forget flash floods and landslides too. Now I know the meaning of good leadership
Pahang also have
Pahang takde bragging like them.
Everywhere also got flash floods, including Singapore, Europe, USA, HK, etc.So all don’t have good leadership?Use your head to think before you say something.
So stop whining about everything is bad on the Gov. Shxt happens, deal with it.
These Acts of God natural disaster happen Everywhere. But human greed disasters can be averted.
Why Prasarana Rapid using buses from multiple bus manufacturers? Dont they know economies of scale?? Or something fishy there
Not putting all their eggs into one basket. In this case, its a multi-billion RM fleet of eggs.
Back in early 90s, we have congestion at jln jelutong and sg pinang junction only. but after coastal highway comes along, that no longer the problem but other new area becomes congested such in bayan baru big roundabout, greenlane and jln perak…
what they are doing this time is have six hub where each hub is allocated a number of buses that focus on shorter routes feeding the hubs. they can go to more areas and more frequent. with shorter route, arrival time have smaller variation.
there will be inter-hub service too. that will be longer route.
Free things don’t make people appreciate. After some time they will feel entitled instead of appreciative. Better solve flooding and landslide problems first laa.
Kawtim flooding and landslide, tunnel, water problems more dire.
Pls come and see Selangorku free bus empty most of the time becoz pipu cant wait for the long intervals and rather pay for rapid RapidKL buses.
dear john, i think some period of time and some area only SELANGORKU free bus empty.. i everyday seen SELANGORKU bus either half or full.
Free just 4 Bangla n Indon
Good effort. Even though some says it’s free just 4 bangla n indon, there are still people who needs to get on a bus daily to work/school/home. Not you, but some other local Penang people.
Some even says solve the flood/landslide problem first. They don’t know the word multitask.
Some says it’s a way to pocket more…. but I think it’s better to have effort to benefit the people than not be scared of people giving negative response on those efforts done.
I don’t understand how come normal buses charges a fare, but this is free? Why not every bus also free, or at least cheaper price for those who can’t afford a car?