RESIDENTS in the Bagan Dalam neighbourhood can now use Rapid Penang’s Bagan Dalam Loop (T614) bus service, which has officially begun its trial run this morning.
Former Bagan Dalam assemblyman M. Satees thanked Transport Minister Anthony Loke for fulfilling his request to provide bus service to enhance the first-mile and last mile-connectivity in the neighbourhood.
Satees received an approval letter from Prasarana Malaysia Berhad on May 16 following an application to Loke on March 17.
“I would like to thank the transport minister for his prompt reply to my request for a bus service covering the Bagan Dalam route.
“The Bagan Dalam Loop bus service will enhance the convenience of the residents over here, especially the senior citizens to move around.
“For instance, they can use it to go to market as the route covers Pasar Awam Taman Bagan and Pasar Awam Sri Bandar.
“I have also requested Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng to continue with the T614 bus service after its trial run of three months,” Satees added.
The flagging-off ceremony of the Bagan Dalam Loop bus service took place in front of the Bagan Dalam service centre, with Lim in attendance.
According to Satees, the passengers for the Bagan Dalam Loop bus service are only charged RM1 to get to any destination within the route.
“Senior citizens, the disabled and students can get a 50% subsidy on the fare, while with MY50 Mutiara passes can ride for free.
“The residents here had to use e-hailing services previously to travel within the neighbourhood, as there were no bus services covering the Bagan Dalam route.
“Sometimes, they had to pay a high fee for the e-hailing services during peak hours to travel within the neighbourhood,” Satees said.
Satees thanked the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) for helping to instal bus stop poles for the T614 bus route.
Apart from that, Satees also thanked the unity government for supporting the T614 initiative for the benefit of the local community.
Meanwhile, Lim said the Bagan Dalam Loop bus service is a testament to the unity government in delivering its promises for the benefit of the people.
”The cost for the 3 months trial run of the Bagan Dalam Loop bus service from July 1 to Sept 30, is RM138,000 (RM46,000 per month) and is borne by the unity government.
The T614 bus route operates during peak hours.
The first round is from 6.30am to 10.30am, the second round from 12.30pm to 1.30pm and the last round from 2.15pm to 7.30pm.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar