Latest news with #RapidKL

Barnama
16 hours ago
- Automotive
- Barnama
Sun Bus Tech Targets Completion Of 310 Rapid KL Buses By February 2026
BUSINESS By Hasnah Jusid JOHOR BAHRU, July 29 (Bernama) -- Johor-based bus body manufacturer, Sun Bus Tech Sdn Bhd aims to complete 310 Rapid KL buses under a local assembly (Completely Knocked Down-CKD) project with Prasarana Malaysia Bhd by February 2026. Sun Bus Tech chief executive officer Shyan Phang said the project marks a major strategic shift for the company, moving from an export-heavy operation to one with significant domestic focus, in line with government policies to strengthen local assembly and industrial capacity. 'This is our first large-scale domestic project and currently takes up almost 100 per cent of our production capacity, with a target of producing 50 units per month,' she told Bernama during a visit to the company's plant here. The first batch of 10 buses was delivered last month, followed by another 15 units this week. Starting next month, the company will ramp up its deliveries to 40 to 50 units per month, she said. She added that the project is also opening up employment opportunities for locals, as the company works to build a sustainable workforce with local talent. 'We're working closely with TVET institutions in Johor as well as the Johor Talent Development Council (JTDC) to recruit and train more Malaysians. Our target is to achieve a 90 per cent local workforce in the near future,' she said. Sun Bus Tech is one of the companies that have responded to the Johor state government's call to raise salary levels and develop a future-ready workforce. The company now offers a premium starting salary of RM4,000 for skilled workers.


Focus Malaysia
6 days ago
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
Changes for the better are woefully slow in Malaysia
A FORUM titled 'Public Roads Don't Belong to Bicycle Gangs' was held at Pantai Dalam in Kuala Lumpur last Sunday. It was moderated by former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin. The panel included Bukit Aman Traffic Investigations and Enforcement Department deputy director of enforcement Khairul Azhar Ismail, and Road Transport Department (JPJ) assistant director (operations) Mohd Alifarihan Abdullah. Alifarihan disclosed that current regulations only require buses to be equipped with a GPS system, and JPJ is considering making dashboard cameras (dashcams) compulsory in all public transport vehicles. He said, 'The licences and conditions for public vehicles are only GPS and is why having dashcams compulsory is a good idea, for now it's only mandatory to have a GPS.' The proposal was made after a viral video showed an MRT feeder bus driving too close to a group of cyclists riding abreast on a narrow road, sparking a brief confrontation. One of the cyclists involved raised the issue during the forum and Rapid KL has since launched an internal investigation into the incident. More than 10 years ago, I had already proposed that the public be invited to install quality dashcams to record traffic violations and submit evidence to the authorities and be paid based on fines collected, which was explained in 'All eyes on road safety' published on Nov 9, 2015. Since then, I have written many similar published proposals. For example, when promoting e-hailing services for motorcycles to be introduced in Malaysia, I advocated fitting video cameras in front of crash helmets and at the rear of e-hailing bikes to record transgressions of other vehicles. I have also repeatedly suggested that RapidKL buses be fitted with dashcams and rear facing cameras to record thousands of traffic violations daily, including vehicles parked at bus stops and illegally near junctions, stopping at yellow boxes and jumping red lights, especially motorcycles. But neither the authorities nor RapidKL had followed up with my proposals, including the one I made in 2003 when I proposed in a road safety forum and published a full-page in a broadsheet newspaper to appoint many concessionaires to assist in recording traffic offences nationwide. In this new millennium, it would be a big miscalculation for any country to undergo slow changes. For example, Japan rose from the ashes of the Second World War by copying Western products and making them cheaply, and everyone then used to laugh at inferior Japanese products. But they practised Kaizen by continuously making incremental, ongoing improvements in work procedures, processes and products. Long before the end of the last millennium, Japanese products were regarded as high quality at reasonable prices and sought after around the world. China too started manufacturing by churning out inferior products as cheap as possible. But later, they did not go through the slow improvement to reach Japanese standard. With no legacy to protect, they went all in to develop new technologies and reinvent existing products. This was made possible because China produced the largest number and highest percentage of university graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Our country too could be transformed if our sharp minds are not prevented from getting things done. ‒ July 23, 2025 YS Chan is master trainer for Mesra Malaysia and Travel and Tours Enhancement Course and an Asean Tourism Master Trainer. He is also a tourism and transport business consultant. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Main image:

Malay Mail
20-07-2025
- Malay Mail
Dashcams on all public vehicles? JPJ says it's a good idea
KUALA LUMPUR, July 20 — The Road Transport Department (JPJ) is considering making dashboard cameras (dashcams) compulsory in all public transport vehicles. JPJ assistant director (operations) Mohd Alifarihan Abdullah said current regulations only require these vehicles to be equipped with a GPS system. 'The licences and conditions for public vehicles are only GPS and is why having dashcams compulsory is a good idea but for now it's only mandatory to have a GPS,' he said a forum titled 'Public Roads Don't Belong to Bicycle Gangs' held in Pantai Dalam today. The proposal comes after a viral video showed an MRT feeder bus driving too close to a group of cyclists riding abreast on a narrow road, sparking a brief confrontation. Rapid KL has since launched an internal investigation into the incident. One of the cyclists involved raised the issue during the forum, which was moderated by former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin. Also on the panel was Bukit Aman Traffic Investigations and Enforcement Department deputy director of enforcement Khairul Azhar Ismail. Khairul noted that while offences involving cyclists rarely reach the police, motorists are more often caught for alcohol consumption or misusing road lanes. As public calls for safer infrastructure and clearer regulations grow, he stressed the need for shared responsibility on the road. 'Understanding each other's rights and responsibilities is key. If we all follow the rules, safety will improve not just for cyclists, but for everyone,' he said.


The Sun
18-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Rapid KL on-demand van service expands to 12 new Selangor zones
KUALA LUMPUR: Rapid KL's On-Demand van service will expand to 12 additional zones in Shah Alam and Klang starting tomorrow, enhancing public transport accessibility in Selangor. The new coverage includes Persiaran Dato Menteri-KTM Shah Alam, KTM Padang Jawa-Terminal 17, and Bandar Baru Klang, among others. Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Prasarana Malaysia Bhd, stated that the expansion aligns with efforts to strengthen urban mobility networks. 'This initiative ensures equitable access to public transport, especially in areas underserved by conventional bus routes,' said acting Prasarana Group president and CEO Amir Hamdan. The service guarantees a seat per ride and operates daily from 6 am to 11.30 pm at a promotional fare of RM1 per trip. Bookings can be made via the Rapid On-Demand app, available on Google Play and Apple App Store. Additionally, the Desa Pinggiran Putra-Dataran Gemilang Putrajaya route will merge with the MRT Putrajaya Sentral-PICC line for a more integrated service. For details on service zones and booking, visit or follow Rapid KL's social media channels. - Bernama

Malay Mail
18-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Rapid KL On-Demand service adds 12 new zones in Shah Alam and Klang
KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 — Rapid KL's On-Demand van service will enter a new phase starting today, with its coverage expanding to 12 additional zones across Shah Alam and Klang in Selangor. In a statement yesterday, Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Prasarana Malaysia Bhd, announced that the expanded service will include the areas of Persiaran Dato Menteri-KTM Shah Alam, KTM Padang Jawa-Terminal 17, KTM Padang Jawa-Seksyen 7, U12 Cahaya Alam, Bandar Baru Klang and KTM Klang-Batu Belah. The service will also be available in Taman Summit, KTM Klang-Teluk Gadong, Sri Andalas, Klang Jaya, Bandar Bukit Tinggi and Bandar Puteri. 'The expansion of the van service is part of Prasarana's ongoing commitment to strengthen urban mobility networks and improve accessibility to public transportation, particularly for first-mile and last-mile connectivity,' the statement read. Acting Prasarana Group president and chief executive officer, Amir Hamdan, was quoted as saying that the move reflects the company's goal of bringing communities closer to a reliable and inclusive public transport system. 'This isn't just about expanding routes, but more about ensuring equitable access to public transport. 'We want to make sure that every city dweller has access to mobility solutions that are efficient, affordable, and suited to their daily needs, especially in areas previously underserved by conventional bus routes,' he said. In a related development, the company said the Desa Pinggiran Putra-Dataran Gemilang Putrajaya service zone will be merged with the MRT Putrajaya Sentral-PICC route and renamed 'MRT Putrajaya Sentral-PICC and Desa Pinggiran Putra' to offer a more integrated and comprehensive service. The Rapid KL On-Demand van service guarantees a seat for each ride and is available daily from 6 am to 11.30 pm with a promotional fare of just RM1.00 per trip remains in effect to encourage more users to try the service. Bookings can be made easily via the Rapid On-Demand app downloadable from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. For more information on service zones and usage guides, visit the official website at or follow Rapid KL's official social media channels. — Bernama