KUALA LUMPUR: The government is currently studying to introduce on-demand bus services or "Demand Responsive Transit", the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the move aims to increase the service interconnection of land public transportation, especially for the last mile that connects rail stations with the residential and workplace areas not only in the big cities but also in the rural areas.

"Currently in the Klang Valley, the land public transport network that available includes eight rail services operated by Rapid KL, Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) and Express Rail Link, along with stage bus services provided by Rapid KL and other operators involving 298 routes connecting the main hubs of public transport," he said in reply to a question from Datuk Seri Sh Mohmed Puzi Sh Ali (BN-Pekan).

Sh Mohmed Puzi had asked about the ministry's plan for integrating public transportation to make it more systematic and efficient, not only in city centres but also in small towns and rural areas.

Loke said to assist the people with the transportation cost, the government via the ministry has allocated RM115 million yearly for the my50 initiative, namely unlimited travel passes for 30 days for rail and bus services provided by Rapid KL.

Outside Klang Valley, Loke said the public transport services focused on stage bus service connecting residential areas with the nearest cities.

"To ensure continuous service of the stage bus, the government has allocated RM105 million a year under the Interim Stage Bus Support Fund (ISBSF) programme, to aid the operators that operating on losses to continue providing services, comprising 265 routes in Peninsular Malaysia and 88 routes in the Sabah and Sarawak regions."

He added that under the Stage Bus Service Transformation (SBST/MyBas) programme, the government had allocated RM150 million this year to finance existing MyBAS services, as well as the expansion of MyBAS in other cities.

Loke added to ensure the performance of public transportation in the country is at par with developed countries, the government will continue to empower and strengthen the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) and the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (LPKP) for Sabah and Sarawak.

"These agencies will be responsible for overseeing and monitoring the public transport system through digitisation of services and improvements to the organisational structure, according to the present need and roles given to them."

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/10/965823/loke-govt-mulling-demand-bus-service