The Federal Government has spent more than RM320 million to improve the state’s public transportation system after the setting up of Rapid Penang Sdn Bhd on July 2007.

State Gerakan chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan said the Federal Government recently also pumped RM120mil into Rapid Penang to build transport hubs in Balik Pulau and Batu Maung, and purchase 200 additional new buses.

“The transport hubs will cost RM500, 000 each. Also in progress is a RM500, 000 upgrade of the Komtar bus terminal scheduled for completion by end of this month,” he said after visiting the Rapid Penang office in Lorong Kulit recently.

However, Dr Teng who is chairman of the state Barisan Nasional working committee also urged the Federal Government to expedite the delivery of the 200 new buses to enable Rapid Penang to serve the people better, especially those in the mainland.

“Rapid Penang has 350 buses and the additional buses will definitely facilitate greater connectivity for passengers on the island and mainland,” he said.

He said the multi-million ringgit investment showed the Federal Government’s commitment in looking after the well-being of the people in the state.

“It is not true that the Federal Government is sidelining this state just because it is under Pakatan Rakyat. What is important is that the people get to reap the benefit from the investment,” he said.

Dr Teng and the BN delegation comprising the secretary of the Penang BN Working Committee, Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya and several BN constituency co-ordinators including Koay Kar Huah (Bukit Gelugor) Tan Cheng Liang (Jawi) and Lau Chiek Tuan (Bukit Mertajam), had earlier been briefed on the operations, planning and achievements of Rapid Penang in the state.

Since it was introduced in July 2007, Rapid Penang now has 350 buses and controlled 100 per cent of the routes on the island and 75.9 per cent of the routes in Seberang Perai with an average of 80,000 passengers daily.

Meanwhile Rapid Penang chief executive officer Azhar Ahmad, in his briefing, said that with the additional 200 buses, the company was targeting to have four million passengers per month and 100 per cent control of the bus routes on the island and Seberang Perai.

“Rapid Penang is also planning to build a bus terminal in Seberang Perai Selatan (SPS) and endeavouring to secure the permit to provide transportation services particularly in the Kulim, Sungai Petani and Padang Serai areas,” he said.

by Editorial Desk
gerakan4u.com