THE Penang government will continue to bear the cost of MY30 Mutiara pass to promote public transport.
State Transport and Infrastructure Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said that the state also wants to reduce the burden of the people during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
“We will still bear the cost of MY30 Mutiara pass, which is worth RM50 for a month for each card.
“This involves a monthly allocation of RM375,000 for a total of 7,500 cards, hence amounting to a total annual allocation of RM4.5 million.
“The allocation for next year has been limited to 7,500 card holders each month. The state wants to ease Penangites’ burden.
“Those who have been using the Mutiara pass can renew it for free at the Rapid Penang kiosks.
“For the first time, the cardholders will be charged RM10 of which RM5 is card processing fee and the other RM5 is for the ‘purse value’,” he said at a press conference in Komtar today.
Zairil said the state had also agreed to continue with the CAT Bridge free bus service for a year, beginning Jan 1 till Dec 31 next year, with the usage of a total of 10 buses.
“The bus schedule remains the same with the frequencies ranging from 15 to 30 minutes during peak hours while the first bus service will start at 6am.
“All these initiatives will encourage more Penangites to take up public transport in the future,” he said.
Also present were deputy State Secretary Datuk Azhar Arshad, Rapid Penang northern region head Ku Jamil Zakaria and former state executive councillor Datuk Lim Hock Seng.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi