RapidPenang

[allurban]

RapidPay but not Touch N Go?

Drivers still selling paper tickets?

That is quite confusing.

Just to clarify...are the bills being paid while on the bus? Because I have never in my life seen people paying bills while on the bus...at stations, yes, but not on the bus.

As for the trip to the Airport all I can say is what took you so long????

Cheers, m

[khensthoth]

Why would they introduce that before a digital payment or ticketing system, I have no idea. What's the use of paying bills on buses?

[forrestcat]

Originally Posted by khensthoth

Why would they introduce that before a digital payment or ticketing system, I have no idea. What's the use of paying bills on buses?

There's a first time for everything...

[rizalhakim]

Utara: Pengguna RapidPenang meningkat
Oleh Tuty Haryanti Ahmad Rodzi


LANCAR: Azhar (kiri) menjadi pengguna pertama ketika melancarkan mesin Rapidpay sambil diperhatikan Pengarah Pembangunan keusahawanan Mobility One Sdn Bhd, Wan Azmawi Wan Azmi (kanan) dan Syed Ahmad Fuad.



Tambahan penumpang lapan peratus bukti pengangkutan

awam diutama

GEORGETOWN: Jumlah penumpang bas Rapid Penang Sdn Bhd (RapidPenang) meningkat lebih lapan peratus sejak penstrukturan semula subsidi minyak dibuat kira-kira sebulan lalu.



Jumlah penumpang pada hari bekerja meningkat daripada 43,000 kepada 48,000 orang sehari, manakala hujung minggu pula bertambah daripada 50,000 kepada 58,000 orang.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutifnya, Azhar Ahmad, berkata peningkatan itu jelas menunjukkan orang ramai mula beralih kepada pengangkutan awam daripada menggunakan kenderaan sendiri berikutan kenaikan harga bahan bakar.

“Orang ramai mula mencari alternatif yang terbaik untuk berjimat dalam keadaan sekarang ini termasuk memilih bas awam sebagai pengangkutan utama," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian kepada pemberita selepas melancarkan perkhidmatan bas RapidPenang di Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Bayan Lepas dan Rapidpay di lapangan terbang itu, kelmarin.

RapidPenang memperluaskan perkhidmatan hingga ke lapangan terbang menggunakan lapan buah bas iaitu U401 dan 401E, bermula jam 6.35 pagi sehingga 11 malam setiap hari.

Sistem Rapidpay pula membolehkan penumpang yang memiliki kad bank membuat pembayaran bil dan tambah nilai prabayar telefon bimbit.

Azhar berkata, berikutan penambahan penumpang, syarikat akan menambah 200 buah bas lagi menjelang tahun depan yang bertujuan mengurangkan kesesakan dalam sesebuah bas.

Katanya, dengan penambahan bas itu, ia diharap dapat meningkatkan mutu perkhidmatan bas awam di negeri ini.

"Dengan penambahan ini, saya harap jumlah penumpang akan meningkat daripada kira-kira 48,000 penumpang kepada lebih 100,000 penumpang setiap hari," katanya.

Sementara itu, Azhar berkata, semua 150 bas RapidPenang akan dilengkapi Sistem Kedudukan Global (GPS) menjelang bulan depan bagi memudahkan penumpang mengetahui tempoh masa sebuah bas tiba dan bertolak dari satu-satu destinasi.

"Dengan adanya sistem itu, ia akan melancarkan setiap laluan bas dan memastikan setiap perjalanan tepat mengikut jadual," katanya.

Beliau menjelaskan tender bagi pemasangan GPS dibuka sehingga akhir bulan ini kepada syarikat yang berminat.

[allurban]

Originally Posted by cooltemper4

OMG, this will take how long?
Every bus stop will be packed with people waiting to go up bus.

that's why the machines should be at the bus stops...pay your bills while you wait.

Cheers, m

[rizalhakim]

Council to offer free bus service


THE Penang Municipal Council is expected to introduce its free shuttle bus service in inner George Town latest by September.

Its president Datuk Zainal Rahim Seman said yesterday the council would introduce the bus service once it had obtained approval from the state.

“We are studying the T10 route currently serviced by Rapid Penang for the free shuttle service,'' he told reporters after an ordinary council meeting yesterday.

(The T10 route covers Weld Quay- Gat Lebuh Chulia- Lebuh Pantai- Lebuh Light- Jalan Masid Kapitan Keling- Lebuh Farquhar- Jalan Penang- Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong- Jalan Ria (Komtar)- Jalan Magazine- Jalan Penang- Jalan Burma- Jalan Anson- Jalan Macalister- Jalan Penang- Jalan Burma- Jalan Transfer- Jalan Hutton- Jalan Penang- Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong- Lebuh Carnavon- Jalan Kampung Kolam- Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling- Lebuh Farquhar- Lebuh Light- Lebuh Penang- Lebuh Bishop- Lebuh Pantai- Lebuh Downing- Weld Quay).

He said with George Town’s recent listing as a world heritage site, the free shuttle would be a feasible mode of transport, especially for tourists.

The council will spend between RM50,000 and RM60,000 a month to provide the service.

The project will be given to an interested party through an open tender system.

[rizalhakim]

RapidPenang perlu depoh baru

PULAU PINANG 15 Julai - RapidPenang Sdn. Bhd. (RapidPenang) berharap usahanya untuk memperoleh beberapa lokasi bagi dijadikan depoh bas syarikat berkenaan mendapat reaksi positif daripada kerajaan negeri.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutifnya, Azhar Ahmad berkata, cadangan RapidPenang telah dihantar kepada kerajaan negeri bagi mendapatkan beberapa lokasi yang sesuai bagi tujuan itu.

Keperluan itu, katanya, amat penting berikutan tambahan sebanyak 200 buah bas akan dibekalkan secara berperingkat-peringkat mulai hujung tahun ini sehingga penghujung tahun 2009.

''Kertas cadangan itu telah pun diserahkan kepada kerajaan negeri bagi mendapatkan kawasan sesuai untuk dijadikan depoh dan berharap mendapat pertimbangan dikenakan bayaran pajakan pada kadar yang nominal,'' katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia, di sini hari ini.

Menurut Azhar, depoh sedia ada di Sungai Nibong tidak mampu untuk menampung kesemua bas RapidPenang yang berjumlah 350 buah pada masa depan.

Dengan pertambahan 200 buah bas itu, seluruh laluan di bahagian pulau dan Seberang Perai akan diliputi oleh RapidPenang bagi memberi keselesaan kepada semua penumpang.

Katanya, 100 buah bas baru akan ditempatkan di bahagian pulau, manakala 100 buah bas lagi akan ditempatkan untuk laluan di Seberang Perai.

Beliau berharap kerajaan negeri dapat membantu menyelesaikan masalah itu bagi memberi keselesaan kepada RapidPenang untuk menempatkan kesemua bas tersebut.

Azhar memberitahu, RapidPenang tidak boleh menanggung risiko dengan meletakkan kesemua bas di luar kawasan depoh atau di tepi-tepi jalan jika tidak beroperasi.

''Kita tidak mahu menanggung risiko untuk meletakkan bas-bas RapidPenang di tepi-tepi jalan, sedangkan di dalam depoh pun boleh diceroboh inikan pula diletakkan di luar,'' katanya.

Selain itu, katanya, RapidPenang dalam proses perbincangan untuk mengambil alih dan menaik taraf 303 perhentian bas di negeri ini bagi tujuan menyeragamkan reka bentuknya.

Syarikat pengangkutan itu memperuntukkan RM3.72 juta bagi menyeragamkan 20 peratus hentian bas bersaiz besar, 30 peratus bersaiz sederhana dan 50 peratus lagi hentian bas yang menggunakan tiang cacak secara berperingkat.

Bagi tujuan itu, RapidPenang telah menyiapkan kertas kerja untuk pengambilalihan tersebut dan diserahkan kepada kerajaan negeri baru-baru ini.

''Kita masih menanti keputusan kerajaan negeri berhubung perkara ini dan berharap ia dapat disegerakan,'' katanya.

[nazrey]

120,000 expected to take bus daily by 2010
Monday July 21, 2008
TheStar

THERE will be more public transport users in Penang when more buses and routes are added to Rapid Penang service at the end of 2009, said Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop.

He stated the number of people using public transport in Penang would increase from the current 10% to 30% of Penang’s population by 2010.

“Some 48,000 passengers take Rapid Penang buses daily. From the extra routes Rapid Penang will be plying upon getting the additional buses, the passenger load is expected to increase to 120,000 passengers a day,” he said after launching of the Penang Sentral temporary bus terminal in Butterworth on Saturday.

Nor Mohamed said the Federal Government would spend about RM100mil to buy 200 extra buses.

“Rapid Penang would add 14 routes to the present 33 routes in 106 housing areas on the island and mainland. These measures would then increase the number of people using public transport,” he explained.

He said Rapid Penang’s current fleet of 150 buses controlled 60% of the bus services in the state.

“I believe the additional buses would help solve the traffic problems faced by the state,” he said.

[rizalhakim]

RapidPenang buktikan mampu beri cabaran

Oleh wan najib wan daud

PULAU PINANG 27 Julai - RapidPenang Sdn. Bhd. (RapidPenang) yang bakal menyambut ulang tahun pertamanya pada 31 Julai ini, kini boleh dianggap berjaya di dalam misinya merubah pola pengangkutan awam terutamanya perkhidmatan bas di Pulau Pinang.

Sejak beroperasi 1 Ogos 2007 sehinggalah sekarang pelbagai tanggapan, masalah dan komen timbul dan ada juga yang meragui kemampuan RapidPenang untuk bersaing dengan syarikat-syarikat bas veteran di negeri ini.

Bagi RapidPenang, persaingan dengan lima syarikat bas veteran iaitu KGN-Hin Co. Sdn. Bhd., Siang Cemerlang Sdn. Bhd., Transit Link Sdn. Bhd., Milan Travel Sdn. Bhd. dan Inter Runner Sdn. Bhd., bukan sahaja mencabar tetapi juga menjadi satu penanda aras bagi anak syarikat di bawah Kementerian Kewangan Diperbadankan (MOFinc) dalam memenuhi matlamat penubuhannya.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutifnya, Azhar Ahmad mengakui bahawa semua itu mencabar beliau dan kakitangannya untuk membuktikan kemampuan RapidPenang yang baru setahun jagung beroperasi selain menarik kepercayaan pengguna.

Bermula dengan 150 buah bas beroperasi di seluruh laluan di bahagian pulau dan beberapa laluan di Seberang Perai, RapidPenang kini dijanjikan tambahan bas baru sebanyak 200 buah akan dibekalkan secara berperingkat-peringkat mulai hujung tahun ini sehingga akhir tahun depan sekali gus meliputi keseluruhan laluan di Pulau Pinang.

"Imej dan mutu perkhidmatan bas awam di Pulau Pinang ketika awal penubuhan RapidPenang sering diperkatakan malah kami dicabar untuk membetulkan keadaan dan juga minda penduduk di sini agar menggunakan pengangkutan awam.

"Malah kami menjanjikan perkhidmatan bas yang sistematik, tersusun dan mesra serta bersih bagi mengembalikan kepercayaan penumpang bas-bas kami," katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia di sini baru-baru ini.

RapidPenang telah dilancarkan perkhidmatannya oleh Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi 31 Julai tahun lalu dan mula melebarkan perkhidmatannya secara berperingkat ke seluruh Pulau Pinang.

Kejayaan awal yang benar-benar mengujakan ialah kemampuan RapidPenang mencatatkan jumlah penumpang sehingga melebihi satu juta dengan purata harian kira-kira 40,000 penumpang sehari.

Beliau memberitahu, kerajaan memperuntukkan RM100 juta bagi menambah 200 buah bas untuk membaiki dan meningkatkan sistem pengangkutan awam di Pulau Pinang.

Ia membuktikan kesungguhan dan komitmen Kerajaan Pusat membantu Pulau Pinang di dalam sistem pengangkutan awam walaupun dua projek mega iaitu monorel dan Jalan Lingkaran Luar Pulau Pinang telah dibatalkan.

Selain dari pembatalan dua projek mega itu yang merupakan rahmat buat RapidPenang, pengendali bas awam itu tidak lari dari berdepan dengan kenaikan bahan api selain terpaksa menyerap kos operasi yang tinggi setiap hari.

Sebagai contoh katanya, dari RM1 tambang yang dikenakan, 95 sen adalah untuk membiayai kos operasi sebuah manakala 5 sen lagi digunakan untuk penyelenggaraan.

"Bayangkan dengan duit sebanyak itu apa yang kami mampu lakukan, tetapi kami percaya pulangan yang diberikan oleh penumpang kepada kami akan dibayar dengan perkhidmatan memuaskan," katanya.

Selain itu Azhar berkata, usaha RapidPenang untuk mengubah pola pengangkutan awam bukan tertumpu kepada penyediaan bas tetapi kepada usaha untuk membangunkan modal insan terutamanya kapten bas dan juga penumpang.

Anak kelahiran Pulau Pinang ini berkata, walaupun baru setahun memegang jawatan tersebut, industri pengangkutan bukanlah satu perkara yang asing kepadanya kerana beliau memiliki pengalaman luas di dalam pelbagai sektor korporat di negara ini.

Malah, beliau amat teruja dengan cabaran baru di dalam industri pengangkutan awam kerana percaya aspek layanan, pengetahuan kapten bas dan perkhidmatan cemerlang akan menarik lebih ramai pengguna untuk menggunakan pengangkutan awam.

[jieloe]

Originally Posted by rizalhakim

RapidPenang buktikan mampu beri cabaran

Oleh wan najib wan daud

PULAU PINANG 27 Julai - RapidPenang Sdn. Bhd. (RapidPenang) yang bakal menyambut ulang tahun pertamanya pada 31 Julai ini, kini boleh dianggap berjaya di dalam misinya merubah pola pengangkutan awam terutamanya perkhidmatan bas di Pulau Pinang.


Ia membuktikan kesungguhan dan komitmen Kerajaan Pusat membantu Pulau Pinang di dalam sistem pengangkutan awam walaupun dua projek mega iaitu monorel dan Jalan Lingkaran Luar Pulau Pinang telah dibatalkan.

Selain dari pembatalan dua projek mega itu yang merupakan rahmat buat RapidPenang, pengendali bas awam itu tidak lari dari berdepan dengan kenaikan bahan api selain terpaksa menyerap kos operasi yang tinggi setiap hari.

.

[TWK90]

I wonder if it is reporter's gloss or the word from the man himself...

[nazrey]

Rapid Penang Bus Terminal Balik Pulau
by Les Chang

image hosted on flickr


by fablee

image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr

[nazrey]

by 5xmom

[rizalhakim]

Buses more suitable for Penang


HAVING more buses on the streets will be a more feasible solution to public transportation woes in Penang than building a monorail system.

Rapid Penang chief executive officer Azhar Ahmad, who supports the deferment of the federal-funded monorail project, said public buses are more suitable for Penang.

“The monorail costs too much but does too little. It is more suited for point-to-point travel rather than mass rapid transit, which is what we need. The monorail is like a theme park ride.

“A more feasible solution would be to have more buses on the streets, which is what we are doing.

“By the end of next year, Rapid Penang will have 200 new buses. The first 30 buses will arrive at the end of this year - the rest will be delivered in stages.


Man-in-charge: Azhar is confident that Rapid Penang can solve the state's public transportation woes.

“We recently established our Rapid Penang Academy to train bus captains and mechanics. By next year, 120 new captains will join our existing team of 270,” he said.

Azhar said he is confident that Rapid Penang could solve the state’s public transportation woes.

“But it is not just about having more buses. We need to improve existing infrastructure and facilities,” he said, adding that the company has forwarded a proposal to the state to help improve public transportation.

He said bus lanes could be introduced to ensure smoother traffic flow.

“The state should also provide adequate and affordable parking, especially at places like Komtar, Bukit Mertajam, Butterworth and Batu Kawan (when the second Penang bridge is ready) to implement the ‘park-and-ride system’ especially for those travelling between the island and mainland,” he said.

Azhar said Rapid Penang is running a campaign to encourage the public to leave their vehicles at home.

“If we can change the public’s mindset about taking buses, we can solve the state’s traffic congestion problem.

“In the past, buses were seen as a means of transportation for the lower income group but I think that if we can provide cheap, efficient and comfortable service, everyone from students to professionals will be more than willing to travel by public buses,” he said.

Acknowledging that Rapid Penang was “not perfect”, Azhar said it was committed to continue improving its services.

“When the new buses come and the global positioning system (GPS) is installed in all our buses, the current 25 minutes waiting time will be reduced to 10 minutes.

“Sixty per cent of the new buses are wheelchair-friendly. If the state accepts our proposal to adopt all 303 bus stops on the island and those on the mainland, we will make sure that it is comfortable and disabled-friendly.

“We now have 40 wheelchair-friendly buses but we had to remove the ramps because the bus stops were not disabled-friendly.

“It will cost us about RM3mil just for the first phase of construction because we need to have proper shelters if we want people to take the bus,” he said, adding that the entire project would take more than three years to complete.

Asked if Rapid Penang has achieved its objective after one year of operating here, Azahar said it had.

“According to a state survey conducted in April, 66.6% of our passengers were happy with Rapid Penang. Nonetheless, we will continue to improve and we welcome healthy and fair competition.

“Every Friday, my staff and I take the bus to work for ‘quality control’ and I appreciate feedback from the public as well as NGOs like Citizens for Public Transport (CEPAT).

“In our first month, ridership was 1 million. Now it is 1.45 million - that’s an increase of 40%. With the new buses, 14 new routes covering north and south Seberang Prai, Nibong Tebal, Juru, Kuala Muda, Kepala Batas and Bukit Mertajam will be introduced.

“There is a demand for our service from those living in Tasik Gelugor, Kulim and Padang Serai but are working in Penang.

“By 2010, we should be able to service these areas but for now, our priority is to improve public transportation in the state,” he said, adding that the company was currently negotiating with companies in the Bayan Lepas free industrial zones (FIZ) to ply the area.

“We should be able to provide the service by the end of the year once we get clearance from the Customs Department,” he said, assuring that there would not be a fare increase in the “near future”.

“If we do increase our fares, it is because we do not have a choice. For every ringgit earned, 95 sen goes to our operations cost,” he said.

...he making a funny statementlah dis guy!!!!...

[rizalhakim]

Thumbs up for Rapid Penang service


STARMETRO interviewed some Rapid Penang passengers on the bus service provided by the company. The following are their views and their hopes:

Ahmad Fadzil Abdul Rashid, 44 (visually-impaired masseur): “I am very satisfied with the service particularly its bus design. It is very convenient for the disabled people like us as well as the elderly.

“Unlike other buses that would usually wait to be full before departing, Rapid Penang buses would leave for the destination on time.


Nurul Fazila: Buses are usually on time.

“The fares are reasonable and I am happy that there is a 50% discount in the bus fare for us.”

Nurul Fazila Md Pauzi, 22 (student): “It is more convenient and cheaper to take Rapid Penang buses so I would really appreciate if the bus fare could be cheaper.

“The buses are usually punctual but there are times where we have to wait for about 45 minutes when there is bumper-to-bumper traffic.”

Mohd Izwan Abdul, 20 (student): “If I use the Rapid Penang bus, I do not hang out with my friends until midnight for I have to rush back for the last bus which is at 10.30pm. I hope the service can be extended to midnight.”

Leow Hung Liang, 13 (student): “I have been using taking Rapid Penang buses to return home since it hit the streets last year.

“My parents would drop me at the school in the morning and I’ll go back by Rapid Penang. We save a lot on transport expenses when we use the bus especially after the rise in fuel prices.”


Chin Ching: Bus drivers are more polite.

Lee Chin Ching, 25, (student): “I prefer Rapid Penang buses compared to others because they are air-conditioned and cleaner.

“The bus drivers are also more polite and the comfortable atmosphere makes the ride worth the fare I pay.

“I like Rapid Penang to come up with a prepaid card for bus fare payment.

“Singapore is currently using a similar technology which I think Rapid Penang could adopt.”

S. Vanitha, 18 (student): “Rapid Penang buses are more spacious and the air-conditioner actually works. So far I am quite happy and can’t really think of any fault in the service.

“I hope Rapid Penang can add more routes and buses on the mainland as the area is quite big.”

Muhamad Hujwiri Sabri, 19 (student): “I have to wait at least an hour for buses from the jetty on the island to Queensbay Mall. And the buses to my university, UiTM Permatang Pauh is sometimes punctual and sometimes its not.

“Rapid Penang should introduce daily passes like the ones in KL where you can take unlimited rides for RM2.”

[TWK90]

Originally Posted by rizalhakim

...he making a funny statementlah dis guy!!!!...

Although i am dismayed to see the monorail project, derailed....but then, i think he is right in one....focus on bus service first...

If we have comprehensive Rapid Penang network, then the bus ridership on Rapid Penang high enough, only then any kind of mass transit will be feasible...

As i said in other thread....

Rapid Penang : 48,000 passengers per day with 150 buses
Rapid KL : 400,000 passengers per day with 650 buses
KL Monorail : 45,000 passengers per day as of 2005

There is a lot more room of expansion for Rapid Penang......Penang state needs a master on transport and some yardsticks....

I like the look of Rapid Penang bus, the LED sign has bigger font than those on Rapid KL...

[jieloe]

Originally Posted by rizalhakim

Buses more suitable for Penang

“There is a demand for our service from those living in Tasik Gelugor, Kulim and Padang Serai but are working in Penang.

Rapid penang now have service to the Tasek Gelugor which the distance with Padang Serai only few kilometre.. this is manifesto second finance minister to provide services rapid penang to his parliamentary district

Tasik Gelugor still penang lerrr

[Arkdriver]

Originally Posted by jieloe

Rapid penang now have service to the Tasek Gelugor which the distance with Padang Serai only few kilometre.. this is manifesto second finance minister to provide services rapid penang to his parliamentary district

Tasik Gelugor still penang lerrr

hehehe...tak payah naik bas #52 dah...dulu bas aircon, skarang dah tak ada aircon...nasib baik rapid penang ada...

[jieloe]

Originally Posted by Arkdriver

hehehe...tak payah naik bas #52 dah...dulu bas aircon, skarang dah tak ada aircon...nasib baik rapid penang ada...

dulu bas #52 elok skang kalau langgar lopak.. orang dalam bas pon leh kena percikan lopak tuee..

[rizalhakim]

Originally Posted by TWK90

I like the look of Rapid Penang bus, the LED sign has bigger font than those on Rapid KL...

kl also got maaa....the new buses....