Penang kicks off electric bus service

Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook inaugurated the electric bus service in Penang, starting with Rapid Penang. He announced that 250 electric buses will be procured in the first phase, with 150 of them deployed initially and the remaining 100 to be added in the second phase. Out of the 250 buses, 150 will be allocated to Rapid KL and 75 to Rapid Penang.

As of October 13, Rapid Bus had received 52 EV buses for the first phase, with 37 units going to Rapid KL and the rest to Rapid Penang. Loke highlighted that the electric buses would contribute to a more environmentally friendly and quieter public transport system in Penang. However, he cautioned that their silent operation might make them harder to notice for pedestrians and other road users, urging the state government and local authorities to consider this when planning traffic management and pedestrian walkways, especially in densely populated areas.

The electric bus initiative is part of Prasarana Malaysia Bhd's strategy to replace its diesel-powered fleet with EV buses over a decade, starting from this year until 2031. Rapid Bus will introduce two sizes of electric buses, 12m and 8.25m, to cater to various traffic conditions and passenger requirements.