News & Articles PJ to double free bus fleet with 12 additions next year
PJ to double free bus fleet with 12 additions next year
27 Dec 2015
As 2015 draws to a close, we take a look at what some local councils plan to accomplish next year.
PJ will see a major expansion of its free bus service in 2016 with 12 more buses, plus new routes.
Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) will be adding 12 new PJ City free buses to its fleet in the new year and will expand its network to accommodate them.
Mayor Mohd Azizi Mohd Zain told reporters after the council’s full board meeting recently that the matter had already been discussed with RapidKL and the terms agreed upon by MBPJ.
“We discussed with RapidKL and agree to its proposal, which will cost RM6.5 million to rent the whole fleet. Right now, we have to wait for the approval from the state financial officer. When that is done, we can go ahead,” he said.
Mohd Azizi said that out of the 12 new arrivals, two will be electric buses.
“This is in line with our requirement to reduce our carbon footprint,” he said, adding that MBPJ with agencies such as Carbon Trust UK were working on a plan to reduce the city’s annual footprint by 25%, or 2,796 tonnes of carbon dioxide within five years.
Mohd Azizi said that the cost of renting a standard bus was RM800 a day, and RM1,040 for an electric bus.
“Right now we already have 10 buses, so with this addition there will be 22 in total,” he said.
The Malaysian Insider previously reported Petaling Jaya councillor Lee Suet Sen saying that at least 19% of those using the free bus service were private car owners who had switched to public transport.
Lee had said that the PJ City Bus, the first free bus service introduced by MBPJ had been a success.
“The free bus service started operating on May 15, 2014, and has received a good response from the public, especially residents in Petaling Jaya. It has hit an average of 9,000 rides per day, or 250,000 a month,” he said.
PJ will see a major expansion of its free bus service in 2016 with 12 more buses, plus new routes.
Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) will be adding 12 new PJ City free buses to its fleet in the new year and will expand its network to accommodate them.
Mayor Mohd Azizi Mohd Zain told reporters after the council’s full board meeting recently that the matter had already been discussed with RapidKL and the terms agreed upon by MBPJ.
“We discussed with RapidKL and agree to its proposal, which will cost RM6.5 million to rent the whole fleet. Right now, we have to wait for the approval from the state financial officer. When that is done, we can go ahead,” he said.
Mohd Azizi said that out of the 12 new arrivals, two will be electric buses.
“This is in line with our requirement to reduce our carbon footprint,” he said, adding that MBPJ with agencies such as Carbon Trust UK were working on a plan to reduce the city’s annual footprint by 25%, or 2,796 tonnes of carbon dioxide within five years.
Mohd Azizi said that the cost of renting a standard bus was RM800 a day, and RM1,040 for an electric bus.
“Right now we already have 10 buses, so with this addition there will be 22 in total,” he said.
The Malaysian Insider previously reported Petaling Jaya councillor Lee Suet Sen saying that at least 19% of those using the free bus service were private car owners who had switched to public transport.
Lee had said that the PJ City Bus, the first free bus service introduced by MBPJ had been a success.
“The free bus service started operating on May 15, 2014, and has received a good response from the public, especially residents in Petaling Jaya. It has hit an average of 9,000 rides per day, or 250,000 a month,” he said.
Source: Themalaysianinsider.com