By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Oct 11: A fleet of 56 modern city buses will soon hit the streets of Kuching as part of the exciting new Stage Bus Service Transformation (SBST) programme, set to launch early next year.
These eco-friendly air-conditioned buses are said to be equipped with handicap access and advanced technologies such as GPS tracking, CCTV, on board WiFi and more.
Federal Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said after Seremban and Malacca, the programme will begin in Kuching with a total budget of RM79.2 million over five years.
“By implementing advanced scheduling and tracking technologies through the installation of GPS on all buses, the SBST aims to minimise the wait times and ensure that buses adhere to their timetables. Real-time tracking will provide commuters with accurate information on bus arrivals.
“The buses under this SBST programme will also be prepared for future integration between different transport modes including the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART), ensuring seamless travel across the network.
“Furthermore, these buses will also be equipped to accept various payment methods, including cash, credit/debit cards, and mobile payments, ensuring flexibility for users,” he said when speaking during the signing ceremony of an agreement between the Federal government and Biaramas Express Sdn Bhd for SBST programme in Kuching, held at Raia Hotel here today.
The ceremony also saw the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Biaramas Express and GVT Sdn Bhd for the purchase of buses.
If additional funding is secured from the Finance Ministry, Loke said the SBST programme will be expanded to other cities across the country.
He also hoped the SBST initiative would be able to help double the nation’s public transportation usage from the current 20 per cent to 40 per cent over the next five to 10 years.
Under the SBST programme, Loke also said bus operators will be paid by the government based on the distance they cover, guaranteeing them a stable income regardless of passenger numbers.
This removes the financial risks operators typically face, as many have stopped operating due to unprofitability.
“The government will collect all farebox revenues, and while these earnings may not fully cover operational costs, the SBST guarantees that operators can continue running buses without financial concerns,” he told reporters after the event.
On bus routes, he said the Ministry of Transport Sarawak (MOTS) will discuss with Sarawak Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (LPKP) to prevent resource waste by reallocating bus services to areas without existing bus coverage.
Meanwhile, MOTS Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin expressed his gratitude to Loke for reserving the tender process for the SBST programme in Sarawak exclusively for Sarawakian companies.
Following this, Loke responded by saying that the decision took into consideration the local operators who possess a better understanding of the regional conditions and operational needs. — DayakDaily
