Latest news with #ROD
The Star
20-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
On-demand transit service set to grow in Penang
Passengers boarding the on-demand van in Bayan Baru. — Photos: ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star SEVEN vans have been deployed for Rapid Bus' Rapid On-Demand (ROD) service in Bayan Baru and Bayan Lepas, Penang. Rapid Bus acting chief executive officer Ku Jamil Zakaria said the ROD service was launched in Bayan Lepas on April 27, followed by Bayan Baru on May 31, bringing the total number of service zones in Penang to 13. 'We've deployed four vans in Bayan Lepas and three in Bayan Baru and plan to add more vehicles to these zones moving forward,' he said during a promotional ride in Bayan Baru. Ku Jamil said initial response to the ROD initiative in Penang had been encouraging, showing potential for further development. Sim (front) and Ku Jamil in a Rapid On-Demand van at Bayan Baru. He added that 200 passengers on average daily had used the ROD service in Bayan Baru and Bayan Lepas since its launch. He saw great potential in the Bayan Lepas and Bayan Baru areas, especially with the emergence of new developments such as Mutiara Light Rail Transit (LRT) and the expansion of Penang International Airport. 'We believe the ROD service will likely lead to an increase in the number of passengers using Rapid Penang. 'Given the growth potential, we plan to deploy additional vans in both areas to meet future demand. 'We hope the stakeholders involved in the ongoing developments can help promote this service to the public, so more passengers will be encouraged to try out the ROD service,' he said. The ROD service, first introduced in Farlim in Aug 1 last year, he said, was currently operating with a fleet of 50 vans. Between January and June this year, the service recorded an average daily ridership of 2,520 passengers. Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin welcomed the initiative, describing it as timely and well-suited for the area's growing needs. He said the ROD service could encourage more people to make it their primary mode of transport. 'This service offers flexibility and accessibility, especially in areas not fully covered by regular bus routes. 'It can help reduce reliance on private vehicles and ease traffic congestion in the long run.' Sim said Penang would soon see two major infrastructure projects – the airport expansion and construction of Mutiara LRT – both of which were expected to significantly disrupt traffic flow. He said the introduction of the ROD service was a proactive move to address these challenges. 'I believe this service is coming in at the right time to offer practical solutions. 'And I strongly urge drivers, workers and residents in the area to be part of the solution, by using and supporting this service,' he added.
The Star
26-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
JPJ, APAD told to step up monitoring of repeat offenders, says Loke
KUALA LUMPUR: The Road Transport Department (JPJ) and the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) have been instructed to step up monitoring of repeat traffic offenders involving transport companies and commercial vehicle drivers. Transport Minister Anthony Loke said this is following claims of delays by authorities in taking action against repeat traffic offenders. "I have instructed JPJ and APAD to be more aggressive in their monitoring, particularly of repeat offenders, including companies or even drivers with multiple violations. "Proactive action needs to be taken, including audits. Audits will be carried out at transport companies regardless of whether an incident has occurred,' he told a media conference after the My50 Pass Digitalisation Briefing and Launch at KL Sentral LRT Station here on Thursday (June 26) On claims about lorry drivers concealing traffic summonses, resulting in a backlog of unpaid fines, Loke said that is an internal matter of the companies involved. "Firstly, a summons is still a summons. I feel that they need to work out a method together with their drivers because the permit is issued to the company, not the driver. So, when a vehicle is summoned, the vehicle owner or permit holder bears the responsibility. "So, to me, it is their internal affair, including how they deal with their drivers,' he said. On Wednesday (June 25), the Transport Ministry revealed a list of 11 goods vehicle operators and 17 express bus companies with a high number of outstanding traffic summonses. Meanwhile, asked if the My50 unlimited travel pass, which is currently used on rail and bus services operated by Prasarana Malaysia Bhd, would be expanded to all public transport operators, Loke said they are in talks with Express Rail Link Sdn Bhd (ERL), the private operator of the KLIA Ekspres service, to offer monthly passes at a lower rate to users. "So, this is what we are working on, it's just that I can't say the RM50 pass is for all types of transport modes. That will be very difficult to implement,' he said. Regarding the lack of parking space and damage to vehicles at public transport station areas, Loke said the government encourages the public to use the Rapid On-Demand (ROD) service to get to LRT stations. "The government cannot build park-and-ride facilities at every location. That's why we introduced ROD, the whole idea is that we want to encourage more people to use public transport,' he said. - Bernama
The Star
11-06-2025
- The Star
Loke: LRT project in Penang to start within two months
GEORGE TOWN: With outstanding issues concerning the Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) project now resolved, physical construction is set to begin within the next two months, says Anthony Loke. The Transport Minister said the resolved matters included the issuance of consent letters from the state government and other technical issues that had previously delayed the project's implementation. He said the project's main contractor has already awarded preliminary works to sub-contractors in preparation for on-site activities. 'I personally chaired a meeting with the Penang Chief Minister last month and resolved all issues related to the project. 'We can expect physical works to begin within one or two months,' he told reporters after inspecting the Rapid Penang On-Demand (ROD) service yesterday. The 29.5km Mutiara Line LRT project, which includes 21 stations, aims to improve connectivity between the island and the mainland, while also reducing road congestion and enhancing accessibility. On the ROD service, Loke said it has been operating with 50 vans, covering 13 zones in Penang (seven on the island and the rest on the mainland) since its introduction in August last year. He said the average number of daily passengers on weekdays has shown an increase since the addition of zones in March this year. 'An average of 492 passengers per day was recorded in March compared to 159 passengers in February. 'In May, the average daily ridership exceeded the target of 1,944. 'The figure has contributed 4.1% of the total daily average of 47,000 passengers using Rapid Penang services,' he said. Loke also said the Gurney-Tanjong Bungah route is currently the most popular with 522 passengers daily.
The Star
10-06-2025
- The Star
Construction of Penang's Mutiara Line LRT project to start soon
GEORGE TOWN: The Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) project in Penang will commence physical construction within the next two months, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook. "We have now resolved all issues related to the Penang LRT project. "This includes discussions between the Transport Ministry and the state government. "I have personally chaired a meeting with the Penang Chief Minister at the Transport Ministry last month," he said after inspecting the Rapid Penang On-Demand (ROD) service here on Tuesday (June 10). The 29.5km Mutiara Line LRT project, with its 21 stations, connects the island and mainland of Penang. Loke stated that the issues resolved included obtaining consent letters from the state government and addressing technical problems. He said that the main contractor for the project has already assigned preliminary work to the subcontractors involved, in readiness for on-site activities. "We can expect to see physical works begin in the next one or two months," he said. Meanwhile, since its introduction in phases from August 2024 to May 2025, the ROD service has been operating with 50 vans, covering 13 zones in Penang: seven zones on the island and six zones in Seberang Perai. The average number of daily passengers on weekdays has increased since the addition of zones, which began in March 2025, with an average of 492 passengers per day compared to 159 passengers in February. With an average daily ridership exceeding the target of 1,944 in May, it has contributed approximately 4.1% of the total daily average of 47,000 passengers using Rapid Penang services. Loke The Gurney-Tanjong Bungah route was the most popular, with 522 passengers daily.
The Star
20-05-2025
- The Star
Boosting commutes with RM1 rides in Penang
PUBLIC transport is not really an attractive option for most people if the nearest bus stop is a 30-minute walk away. But what if you could get to your destination for just RM1 through Rapid Penang On-Demand (ROD), a first-mile-last-mile transport solution. Jelutong resident Lucia Lai is one Penangite who decided to give it a go. She took an ROD ride from her neighbourhood with booking made through the Kummute app. A passenger using the Kummute app to book her ROD van ride. 'Booking was simple. The app tells you how long it will take for the van to arrive, along with the number plate and driver's name,' she said. For her first ride, Lai was picked up from the bus stop in front of her apartment in Jelutong and dropped off at the St Giles Wembley Hotel in George Town. 'There were only two passengers in the van. I paid by swiping my debit card on the machine and received a receipt right away,' she said, adding that the van was comfortable and the air-conditioning worked. Lai took her first ride from her apartment in Jelutong to a George Town hotel. She said there were 11 seats, three rows with three seats each and a final row with two seats. She was told that one seat in the second row was left empty to make it easier for passengers to get in and out. On the second leg of her journey from St Giles Wembley Hotel to City Bayview Hotel, Lai was the only passenger and sat in the front row behind the driver. 'Overall, I'm satisfied with the service. Some say the wait times can be long during peak hours. 'But I wasn't in a rush, so I didn't mind,' she added. An ROD driver receiving payment from a passenger using her debit card. Receipts are issued. Pharmacist Jusrizal Azeem Jamaludin, also from Jelutong, uses the ROD service a few times a week to commute to Penang Hospital. Usually, he takes a bus from the Sunshine Jelutong stop to Komtar, and then books an ROD ride to the hospital. 'The vans are clean, the seats comfortable and the air-conditioning works well,' he said. 'The drivers are polite and friendly. I have even had nice chats with a few,' said Jusrizal, adding that he appreciated the inclusivity of the service, including accessibility for people with disabilities (OKU). 'The app is user-friendly, and the flexible payment options are a plus. 'One can use the Pas Mutiara My50, Pas OKU Smile, debit or credit card, DuitNow QR or an e-wallet. 'It's a great initiative that offers a reliable alternative to driving, especially in areas not well served by buses,.' ROD vans also have special equipment to cater to people with disabilities. Bridging the gap When the service was first launched on Aug 1, 2024, it featured only two vans operating on the T210B route between Farlim (Bandar Baru Air Itam) and Air Itam. It was then known as Demand Responsive Transit (DRT). Rapid Bus acting chief executive officer Ku Jamil Zakaria said two additional vans were introduced on the T210B route to meet demand and reduce wait times from 17 minutes to 10 minutes. 'With the two extra vans, the average daily ridership has reached 137 passengers, surpassing our initial target of 100. 'In just seven months of operation until February, the total number of passengers on this route has exceeded 26,000,' he said. Ku Jamil said adding vans to serve the route had significantly improved connectivity between the ROD service and existing Rapid Penang buses, while offering passengers more direct access to their chosen destinations. THE ROD can accommodate 10 passengers, with one seat left empty. Today, the ROD service has a fleet of 31 vans covering six key zones, including one on the mainland. The zones are: Gurney and Tanjung Bungah (six vans), Sunway and Butterworth (six vans), Bandar Baru Air Itam and Paya Terubong (five vans), George Town (six vans), Jelutong (four vans) and Bayan Lepas (four vans). Ku Jamil said he hoped the service would encourage more people to shift to public transport instead of using private vehicles. 'Indirectly, this effort can help reduce traffic congestion and address the issue of limited parking space, especially in the George Town city centre,' he added. Ku Jamil emphasised the company's commitment to expanding the ROD service to areas previously underserved by Rapid Penang buses. 'To support the next phase of expansion, we will gradually introduce 21 additional vans, starting next month,' he said. 'The expansion is part of our ongoing efforts to enhance access to ROD services, particularly in regions with limited Rapid Penang bus coverage.' Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) president Mohideen Abdul Kadeer welcomed the expansion of the ROD service, especially with the addition of several new routes. 'Feeder vans like these are essential for residents in areas without regular bus access. 'We have long advocated for services like ROD to boost public transport usage, reduce reliance on private vehicles, ease traffic congestion and shorten commute times,' he said while emphasising the importance of keeping fares affordable to ensure the service remains accessible. The ROD service operates daily from 6am to 11pm. Rides can only be booked through the Kummute app. Once the app is open, click 'book a ride' then choose which type of service. The van service will appear automatically from the commuter's location. Choose the pick-up point and scroll through the list of drop-off points (usually the pick-up and drop-off points are designated Rapid Penang bus stops or landmarks like hotels, malls and apartments). Once booking is made, the app will show how long it will take the van to arrive. The app will show the van's plate number and driver's name. During the ongoing promotion period, fares are RM1.
