Check out this Rapid Penang mini-bus – instead of rushing to start the RM17bn elevated light rail project that risk turning into a loss-making venture.
At a time when the nation is saddled with so much debt, do we really want to spend even more for a rigid, inflexible pricey elevated light rail? Such a system would burden the nation with even more debt.
And what happens when the ridership projections are not met? Who do you think will bear the burden of the debt and annual deficits? The federal government? The state government? Or you, through higher fares, taxes and other charges….
Wouldn’t it be better to focus on upgrading the bus network with more buses, bus lanes, first-and-last-mile connectivity, a reliable frequency….
(Thanks to Luca for the heads-up on the video.)
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Why Malaysia must prioritise traditional buses over Demand-Responsive Transit (DRT)
https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2025/06/15/why-malaysia-must-prioritise-traditional-buses-over-drt
Pouring money into Demand-Responsive Transit risks weakening Malaysia’s core bus system. Malaysia must resist the allure of quick tech-fixes and reinvest in the basics: high-frequency, well-connected, and dependable bus services, and in the long run, better-planned cities.
Yes this is true, it should not be done at the expense of weakening the core bus services. If anything, these demand-responsive buses could provide the first-and-last-mile connectivity that is currently missing.
LRT Mutiara line is paid by the Federal government. If you don’t want it, Kelantan will merrily take the funding to upgrade east-west highway with street lights after the recent bus tragedy.
Paid by federal government, but rakyat ultimately pays for it through more taxes, loan servicing etc
Anil and his Penang Forum buddies should try out this Rapid Kummute. Take a video to show your experience.