An electric bus service is slated to commence operations in Putrajaya by September 2016, as announced by Federal Territories Minister Datuk Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, The Malay Mail reports. An initial number of 10 electric buses worth RM30 million has been sponsored by Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation (NEDO).
Tengku Adnan said that the buses will shuttle commuters around the administrative capital, while the fare will cost 50 sen per ride – the same as the current bus fares charged by Nadi Putra, the company that operates gas-powered buses in Putrajaya, presently. These buses can transport a total of 60 passengers at one time. It is said that the busses have a travel range of 30 km after a 10-minute charge.
“The electric buses will be tried out and if it is competitive, we will change all our existing buses to electric buses,” Tengku Adnan noted. ”Besides reducing air and noise pollution, the use of these electric buses are also in line with the aspiration to make Malaysia a “Green City,” he said. In that, the minister also urged for those working in Putrajaya to use bicycles and electric cars to help achieve that status.
Also to be operated by Nadi Putra, the electric bus service will ply the same routes in Putrajaya. Vice president of Putrajaya Corporation Datuk Omairi Hashim said, “the pilot project will be for three years and we will see the performance.” According to him, commercial vehicle manufacturer, Scania sent the buses to Japan to be fitted with batteries.
“If there is a need for improvement, then it will be improved. Scania will produce buses, Japan will produce batteries and charging facilities,” he said, adding that buses from other manufacturers may be used in the future. Omairi disclosed that should the trial run be a success, Japan would get the business to aid in the electric bus service for Putrajaya.
Electric buses can already be found on the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Sunway Line. However, fare prices range from RM1.60 to RM5.40, for a total distance of 5.4 km. Similarly, a new BRT KL-Klang line has been announced, slated for completion by 2018, while another BRT line has been announced for Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
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Paultan, would you fill us in interms of how these electrict buses works? You know, like how long it takes to charge, the range… And why the need for the buses to be on a separate track (like in Sunway). Can’t it be used along side normal traffic? Pros and Cons etc.
the bus use in Sunway is called BRT..a system to mimic LRT/MRT. The bus can use normal traffic road but have to compete for the road.
Those minister in Putrajaya won’t take bus. Who will take bus there?
Again you see the almighty Malaysian principle: So much resource enjoyed by so little population.
30m for 10 buses? LOL!!!!
Thats why we are doomed..the cronies supplier just sit there and enjoy..
Normal buses can cost all they way to RM1 million…electric bus can cost more than that
LOLOLOL! If you dunno about bus industry (except that it emits smoke), then please go back into your cave.
Ask back the minister to send their kids to school via public transport? I bet they wont as I saw one of them send with bodyguard at nexus international school.
Is there a way for parent to send kids safely to school by using public transport in malaysia? i mean realistically, not theoritacally bs. I paid the school bus, school van but those are private paid services.
Cronies makes green money into their pockets.
give incentives laa to those who cycling to office