It has been reported in all major newspapers lately that RapidPenang has hit a brick wall in its appeals to the Penang State Government for help in finding a piece of land to build depots to take delivery of the 200 brand new European made buses meant to provide even better service and more efficient public transportation to Penangites.

RapidPenang has been approaching the Penang State Government since July 2008 for help but with no results.

We were also equally appalled to learn that the appeals by RapidPenang to the State Government for reduction in rentals for the present five (5) depot sites at RM150,000 per month have not yielded any positive results thus far.

The Penang State Government should be aware that an efficient and effective public transportation system is a prerequisite for the continued prosperity of any economy. The reduction of bottlenecks caused by constant traffic congestions will help to enhance the prospects of investments in the state. More buses and less private vehicles on the road will also help to improve the environment of the state.

It would be a shame and a great loss to Penangites if the much needed 200 buses were to be redirected to Kuala Lumpur just simply because suitable sites to build bus depots could not be identified.

Since this is the indifferent attitude of the Penang State Government, Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (PGRM) Penang would like to urge the Second Finance Minister to intervene in the matter regardless of whatever problems faced by RapidPenang to ascertain that the 200 new buses meant for Penang should be in Penang, instead of being redirected to Kuala Lumpur. Penangites should not be punished and made to suffer as a result of mistakes made by any party.

For the record, RapidPenang was the brainchild of the previous Penang State Government. Ever since the launching of RapidPenang on 31 July 2007, Penangites have benefitted from its efficient and effective services. There are now more buses plying all the major routes and even not so profitable routes to cater to the needs of the people. RapidPenang has since been making continuous efforts to improve its services as can be seen in this recent purchase of 200 brand new buses.