Rapid Penang's head of the northern region, Mohd Amir Abdul Halim, reports that the average daily ridership has reached 46,333 following the introduction of the On-Demand (ROD) van service and free bus travel. He states that Rapid Penang operates 304 buses across Penang, offering commuters reliable and affordable public transportation with broad coverage on both the island and the mainland. This network, according to Mohd Amir, facilitates access to key locations and business hubs and helps alleviate urban traffic congestion. “With frequent services and accessible facilities, Rapid Penang accommodates passengers of all ages, including seniors and people with disabilities,” he told The Star, adding that Route 101 (Ferry Terminal to Teluk Bahang) was the most used.In addition, Mohd Amir emphasised that Rapid Penang is expanding its bus fleet from 232 to 280 and adding 50 vans to its ROD service by 2025 to meet rising public transportation demand. These improvements are supported by the Bus Information System (BIS) for real-time tracking and the Bus Control Centre (BCC) for efficient fleet management, enhancing overall operations and user experience via the MyRapid Pulse app. In terms of operation, Mohd Amir says Rapid Penang now employs 706 bus captains throughout Penang with 19 of them are female. "We are dedicated to encouraging more women to take up the role, even though the majority of Rapid Penang's workforce is still male," he says.
