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The Star
6 days ago
- The Star
Commuters left in the dark at Klang Valley bus stops
When he started working in Kuala Lumpur in 2019, Wong Yew Lee struggled to get a grasp of the city's bus system. The bus stops lacked route information, leaving him unsure of which bus to take. It was only after he found useful online resources and mobile apps that he finally began to navigate the city's public transport with confidence. Yew Lee, 26, observed that this problem has not improved over the years. The vandalised GoKL route display board (left) at the bus stop outside M Centura Condominium. — GLENN GUAN, ONG SOON HIN, JAROD LIM andLEW GUAN XI/The Star 'The lack of information at bus stops in Kuala Lumpur is very inconvenient for users. 'I have to rely on Google and MyRapid Pulse mobile apps to get around the city. 'It would be great if the route and bus information can be displayed at bus stops for passenger convenience,' said the data engineer, who takes the bus from Taman Sungai Besi to the city centre for work. His frustration is a familiar one for many across the Klang Valley. A lack of bus route maps, inconsistent real-time tracking and bus stops that are poorly maintained present a significant challenge for commuters. An unlit bus stop in Jalan PJU8/1 in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. 'Bus stops in countries such as Singapore and Thailand display the names of the stations, bus numbers serving a stop as well as bus routes and estimated arrival times. 'But in the Klang Valley, there are no boards stating the estimated time of arrival of buses. 'Some buses are also not punctual,' he added. Fragmented system The problem is not just a lack of information, but the overall system is a fragmented one. Muhammad Faredhaziq Muszafar, 23, from Johor, highlighted the need for a 'unified and user-friendly digital platform' to consolidate real-time arrival information, maps and fare details. Currently, bus users have to juggle apps and websites to obtain required information. Even when one figures out the right route and bus to take, those unfamiliar with their intended destination could still end up getting lost. Muhammad Faredhaziq says there should be a unified digital platform for bus users. SC Lim, 36, recounted missing his stop for Mid Valley Megamall and ending up in Subang Parade because the bus did not announce its stops. 'Currently, the names of bus stops are not clearly displayed, so how would passengers know where to get off? 'Not all buses show which stops they are approaching. 'For example, the GoKL Maroon Line does not announce upcoming stops, but its buses along the Green Line do,' he said. Frequent bus user Ang Yi Seng, 23, noted that real-time location of buses could be unreliable, making journey planning difficult. 'I use the MyRapid Bus Kiosk website to track the real-time location of buses. 'However, for some routes, there are times buses are not traceable, which affects my journey planning,' he said, adding that the app often lagged. Ang said route information at many bus stops was outdated and urged bus operators to work with local authorities to provide clear, updated details. He said a Damansara Intan bus stop along the T816 route had 'absolutely no markings'. The information displayed at this bus stop in Taipan, Subang Jaya is incomplete. 'There used to be a pole indicating that it was a bus stop, but it has disappeared since 2023. 'Given that buses arrive every half an hour there, the lack of a sheltered bus stop is an inconvenience. 'Without proper signs, non-regular bus users may not know that the spot is actually a bus stop,' said Ang. Apart from the information gap, commuters also talk about infrastructure issues. They say some bus stops have roofs that do not protect passengers from rain, while others are unlit at night, posing a safety risk. 'Some bus stops are not sheltered and there is only a pole with a bus stop sign,' said Muhammad Faredhaziq. He added that buses also failed to stop at designated points in some areas where dedicated bus stops were lacking. Although he often visits the Klang Valley, Muhammad Faredhaziq has not used the area's bus service since September 2023. Ernest has taken the initiative to paste posters at bus stops to inform the public about bus service changes. Falling into disrepair StarMetro checked several bus stops across the Klang Valley and confirmed the commuters' frustrations. Many bus stops not only lacked vital information, but were also vandalised. Most bus stops serving Rapid KL and GoKL buses had a roof and seats, with some also having transparent panels and advertisement boards. However, a few places in Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya only had a bus stop sign pole. For bus stops serving Rapid KL routes, there was a poster with a QR code for passengers to scan and access a website showing bus locations. Similarly, GoKL bus route information was displayed at most stops. Some bus stops in Bandar Utama, Selangor, are unsheltered with just a pole displaying its routes. Of the 15 routes GoKL serves, the bus stops on the Green Line serving the Bukit Bintang area were well maintained, but some along the Maroon Line, which covered Kampung Batu, Sentul, Titiwangsa and Chow Kit, had been badly damaged. Among the items spotted were a broken display board at the bus stop next to M Centura Sentul Residences in Jalan Sentul Pasar and rain-ruined route maps at another stop along the same road. At least three display boards were damaged and could not provide clear bus route information. Even when route information was available at some bus stops, much of it appeared to be inaccurate or incomplete. For instance, the display for the 770 bus route at a bus stop in Taipan, Subang Jaya, only showed stops within Subang Jaya, leaving out the stretch that goes to Hab Pasar Seni in Kuala Lumpur. This meant that commuters do not get a full picture of the route. The bus stop design, commuters say, could also be improved. The bus stop outside Institut Latihan DBKL along Jalan Yaacob Latif with both GoKL and Rapid KL bus routes displayed. Regular bus user Natalie Chan said the roof design of some bus stops did not adequately shield passengers from the rain during a thunderstorm. 'The curved roof does not keep the glaring sunlight away from the seats, making these bus stops uncomfortable for passengers,' she added. There is also a disparity in the information displayed at a bus stop near Kota Damansara MRT station and on the MRT feeder buses serving the stop. The names of the stops along the T805 route shown on the bus stop information board differs from what is displayed on the bus itself, which could confuse commuters. In addition, some bus stops in Jalan PJU7/1, Jalan PJU8/1 and Jalan PJU8/8 in Damansara Perdana are unlit at night, posing a safety risk to commuters. Taking the initiative To address the information gap, transport consultant Ernest Wong puts up his own posters at bus stops, informing commuters about service disruptions and changes. Since last year, Ernest who is from Kuala Lumpur, has placed about 40 posters along various routes in the capital city and Petaling Jaya, including T818, T852, T789 and T815, to notify commuters of event-related route adjustments. 'Rapid KL publishes this information but often only on online platforms so physical notices are rare,' he said. He plans to create a 'Frequent Transit Network' map to highlight high-frequency bus routes, such as No. 300 (Pandan Indah–Lebuh Ampang). With this initiative, he hopes to encourage greater bus usage and help commuters discover other options.
The Star
6 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Efforts underway to make digital bus info more reliable
Prasarana introduced QR codes at bus stops for commuters to scan and access bus route information. — LEW GUAN XI/The Star VARIOUS efforts are underway to make digital bus information more reliable and accessible in Klang Valley, says Prasarana Malaysia Bhd. In a statement to StarMetro, the transportation operator said although printed bus information was previously displayed on information boards and selected bus stops, these materials became outdated quickly. It added that existing route information boards were installed by the Land Public Transport Commission, which was dissolved in 2018, during the Bus Network Revamp Project in 2016, and had not been updated since. 'To ensure passengers always receive the latest and most accurate information, we introduced a QR code system at bus stops. 'This enables commuters to conveniently access real-time, up-to-date information with a simple scan, eliminating the limitations of static print materials,' it said. On the issue of live tracking interruptions on the My Rapid Bus Kiosk website, Prasarana said they were mainly caused by signal weakness of the global positioning system (GPS), interruptions to mobile network and occasional system downtimes. 'To improve the website's reliability, we are conducting consistent GPS maintenance on buses as well as integrating with other platforms such as Google Maps and MyRapid Pulse app, with data being published on Malaysia's Open Data Portal ( 'We are also implementing upgrades to improve the website's stability and performance,' it said. It further stated that the MyRapid Pulse app was upgraded in November last year and now had a more user-friendly interface. 'Bus fares are now accessible through the Journey Planner feature, with fare details provided after route selection. 'We are also fine-tuning the app's performance to address lagging issues and enhance the accuracy of the buses' estimated time of arrival. 'We are also integrating data across more bus service operators, supporting a seamless and connected travel experience,' said Prasarana. It added that the app would continue evolving as a 'central hub' for public transport information, currently covering Rapid KL train and bus services, MRT feeder bus, KTM and ERL schedules for multimodal trip planning. 'Our roadmap includes expanding coverage to integrate data from all feasible bus service operators across the Klang Valley, providing commuters with real-time, accurate information across multiple providers in one platform,' it said. Prasarana said it recognised the needs of passengers who might not be tech-savvy, stating that they could seek assistance from Prasarana's on-site personnel and customer service channels. It added that it was collaborating with Housing and Local Government Ministry and local authorities to upgrade 344 uncovered bus stops, with 165 completed as of July. 'Priority is given to stops with high ridership and demand, ensuring resources are allocated where they deliver the greatest benefit. 'Developing covered stops requires significant resources and ridership data guides us in making effective, needs-based investments,' it said.
The Star
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Penang bus ridership hits 46,000 daily, more women drivers wanted
Rapid Penang bus was first introduced in Penang on July 31, 2007. — Filepic MORE Penangites are taking public transportation, thanks to the introduction of Rapid Penang's On-Demand (ROD) van service and free bus rides. Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd northern region head Mohd Amir Abdul Halim said Rapid Penang's average daily ridership now stood at 46,333. Rapid Penang currently operates a fleet of 304 buses across Penang, ensuring comprehensive coverage throughout the island and mainland, he said. 'We provide affordable and reliable public transport for daily commuters, contributing to environmental sustainability by encouraging the use of public transport over private vehicles. 'The network helps reduce traffic congestion in urban areas and offers convenient access to major landmarks and commercial hubs. 'With frequent services and accessible facilities, Rapid Penang accommodates passengers of all ages, including seniors and people with disabilities,' he shared. Mohd Amir said through the Bus Information System (BIS), which enables real-time monitoring of bus positions, and Bus Control Centre (BCC) that manages and tracks the fleet to maintain service efficiency, the operations of buses were further strengthened. Women bus captains bring excellent customer service and a thoughtful approach to their work. — Filepic He also said that the introduction of dedicated bus lanes ensured smoother, faster journeys, while the MyRapid Pulse app kept customers informed, enhancing the overall travel experience. On the most popular route, Mohd Amir said Route 101 (Ferry Terminal to Teluk Bahang) was the most used. It connects George Town to popular tourist destinations like Batu Ferringhi and Escape Theme Park, serving both locals and tourists. 'This route's high ridership is driven by its accessibility to major attractions and residential areas,' he said. Rapid Penang currently has 706 bus captains across Penang. 'Out of this number, 19 are women. 'While the majority of Rapid Penang's workforce is still male, we are committed to encouraging more women to take up the role. 'We are focused on recruiting more female drivers as the company values the important contribution that they make,' he said, noting that women brought excellent customer service and a thoughtful approach to their work. 'Rapid Penang aims to encourage more women to join the team, believing that an increase in female drivers will help improve the overall service and provide a better experience for passengers.' Mohd Amir said Rapid Penang was focused on expanding its level of service, in terms of the number of buses on the road, from 232 to 280, to better meet growing demand for public transportation. Mohd Amir: The Bus Information System enables real-time monitoring of bus positions. 'Additionally, the ROD service will also be expanded with the addition of 50 vans throughout 2025. 'This aims to improve first- and last-mile connectivity and cater to areas with high passenger demand. 'These initiatives reflect Rapid Penang's commitment to providing more flexible and efficient public transportation options to meet the growing needs of commuters,' he said. Rapid Penang is a public bus operator in Penang operating under Prasarana Malaysia Bhd. Established on July 31, 2007, it is part of Rapid Bus, which also operates in the Klang Valley and Kuantan, Pahang. As of this year, Rapid Penang operates 47 routes, with a fleet of 350 buses. Of the 47 routes, 26 are within George Town and 15 are in Seberang Perai. There are two cross-strait routes connecting the two cities. The remaining four routes are interstate services that link Seberang Perai with nearby towns in Kedah and Perak. — By K. KASTURI DEWI
New Straits Times
01-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Prasarana launches new MyRapid Pulse app with multiple exciting features
KUALA LUMPUR: Prasarana Malaysia Bhd (Prasarana) has introduced its new MyRapid Pulse trip planner application, which will provide various benefits to users of its public transport services, replacing the previous version which was discontinued today. In a statement today, Prasarana said the new app is in line with the government's aspiration to make public transport a key driver in strengthening the country's tourism sector while making it easier for tourists, especially international visitors, to plan their journeys. "Among the main features of this application are more user-friendly navigation and trip planning functions, as well as the introduction of an 'Explore City' feature. "It will help users identify interesting locations around the Klang Valley based on categories such as tourist landmarks and more," the statement read. Also, the new MyRapid Pulse is designed to complement modern lifestyles with emphasis on connectivity, exploration, lifestyle rewards and daily convenience, specifically for public transport users, whether for daily commuting or urban exploration. The app also introduces a 'Rewards and Promotions' feature that provides added value to registered users through partnerships with selected retail and lifestyle brands, allowing users to enjoy various exclusive offers such as purchase discounts and special promotions. Prasarana encourages all users to download the new version of MyRapid Pulse from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store to experience the latest travel features and fully enjoy all the offerings. In line with Prasarana's slogan 'Advancing Mobility, Enriching Experiences', the company hopes the app will help all users, particularly tourists and first-time users, to plan their journeys more efficiently from one location to another. – Bernama
