No electric bus purchases for BAS.MY stage bus service for now, as cost is a consideration – Loke

New buses are being introduced to the BAS.MY stage bus service, but the latest batch contains no electric vehicle (EV) units. The reason for this is cost, according to transport minister Anthony Loke.

Citing an example of the BAS.MY Ipoh service that was launched today, he said the funding received for the programme covers the purchase of 51 new buses. “If we were to use EV buses, the operational and purchase costs would be significantly higher,” he said. He added that EV buses may be introduced in the future, but “for now, we are still using Euro 5 diesel buses, which are environmentally friendly.”

With regards to the Stage Bus Service Transportation (SBST) programme, which began in 2016, Loke said that it has now been extended until 2029 with various improvements including changes to the bus types, additional routes as well as the introduction of an open payment system and the use of concession cards and monthly cards.

For the BAS.MY service – which has been rebranded from myBAS – in Ipoh, he said the government has allocated RM13.17 million for it annually, as The Star reports. “For the service in Ipoh, we have expanded the coverage area to include Kuala Kangsar and Kampar, in addition to surrounding areas of Ipoh,” he said. The service covers 16 routes.

Loke said that the community in Perak would benefit from the revitalised stage bus service. “This is a significant improvement with 51 new buses. We have appointed Perak Transit as the operator, a local company that is well acquainted with the situation in Perak, especially in Ipoh. They have been operating the service previously. We are confident they can provide better service under the new contract,” he stated.

He added that enhancements have been made with four types of concession cards available for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, students and working adults. “For senior citizens, the disabled and students, they travel for free on the bus. As for working adults who are citizens, they can obtain unlimited travel passes for RM50 per month,” he said, and urged individuals in Ipoh to take full advantage of the service.

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