KUALA LUMPUR, March 27 — The Finance Ministry has allocated RM1.9 billion to Prasarana Malaysia Bhd to buy 1,560 new diesel and electric buses in phases over three years.
Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said 310 will be diesel units and will be the last batch with diesel engines, while the rest will be electric vehicles (EVs).
“The 310 diesel-engined buses will be delivered from June this year and the delivery of 250 EV buses will start by the end of this year.
“More than 1,000 EV buses will be added in phases into the system and this will cost RM1.9 billion,” he said in a press conference at the launch of Prasarana’s RapidKL On-Demand open payment system today.
RapidKL On-Demand is Prasarana’s van feeder service, previously known as Demand-Responsive Transit, with 110 vans in the Klang Valley and Penang.
Amir Hamzah said the government has allocated RM55 million for the additional purchase of 320 vans, expected to operate in 101 zones by June.
“This is a part and parcel of the government’s commitment to strengthen public transport infrastructure. We want to make life better for the people.
“A key complaint (about public transport) is first- and last-mile connectivity. By adding RapidKL On-Demand, we widen pickup points for passengers and make public transport more accessible,” he added.
— Bernama
