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THE Rapid Penang public bus and van on-demand operator will launch a comprehensive public awareness campaign to encourage more commuters to use its vehicles, considering the Mutiara Light Rail Transit (LRT) system will be built soon.
Rapid Penang will be providing a feeder bus service to various LRT stations in Penang upon completion of the LRT, scheduled by 2031, said Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd chief operating officer Ku Jamil Zakaria.
"Rail and bus routes are aligned everywhere. We need to provide a feeder bus service for LRT commuters in Penang, and we hope residents can understand the service provided by us," he said at a breaking of fast event with the media at the Ozo Hotel.
Ku Jamil said that there is now more awareness of the need to use the services of scheduled stage bus services and the Rapid on-demand van service, which has now exceeded expectations because it is suitable for the narrow roads in Penang.
"An auntie going to the market in Air Itam can now take a van on demand within 30 minutes, unlike before when it took up to around two hours. We have improved our efficiency."
The awareness campaign, which will be launched by the second quarter of this year, is aimed at improving ridership, while also underlining the importance of public transport, he said.
To meet the demand and service quality, Rapid Penang will be taking delivery in stages of 170 new stage buses, but with a shorter span of 8.9 metres, unlike now, where it is 12 metres.
Vans will also be increased to up to 300 to meet the demand here.
Penang has one of the highest on-demand van usage rates compared to even the Klang Valley.
The online apps have now been merged into one single super app called Rapid On Demand.
Driven by free bus travel and the on-demand van service, the public bus network operates 232 buses, with Route 101 being the most popular, as it travels through George Town, while the majority of the commuters are residents, not foreigners, as some quarters believe.
Daily ridership figures have seen significant growth, reaching 48,000, but lower than the pre - pandemic where Rapid Penang operated 300 buses.
Rapid Penang is also liaising with the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) to offer dedicated bus lanes, with Kelawei Road being considered for one.
Penang will get 150 electric stage buses to help reduce carbon emissions. - March 15, 2026.
