A SIGNIFICANT decline in ridership has been cited as the primary reason for the discontinuation of Rapid Penang services on the Balik Pulau-Teluk Bahang route.
According to state Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari, the route experienced a sharp drop in daily passengers, with an average of 63 recorded in 2019 and a further decrease to only 28 daily passengers in 2020.
“Due to these low numbers, Rapid Penang deemed it necessary to cease operations on the Balik Pulau-Teluk Bahang route,” Zairil said in response to an oral question posed by Muhamad Kasim (PN-Teluk Bahang) during the Penang Legislative Assembly session today.
“However, a comprehensive review of the route network is scheduled to be conducted in the second quarter of 2024.
“This review will follow a demand-based network planning approach, with the aim of identifying areas where mobility can be increased.”
Zairil added that the state government, through Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd, is planning to introduce the Demand Responsive Transit (DRT) service next year to encourage Penangites to utilise public transport and alleviate the worsening traffic congestion during peak hours.
Story by Riadz Akmal