Sabah public bus ridership jumps 208pct in two months

KOTA KINABALU – Public bus usage in Kota Kinabalu has skyrocketed by 208 percent over the past two months, according to Sabah Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board chairman Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe. Passenger numbers have jumped from approximately 194,000 in August to 598,054 in October. These impressive statistics indicate that the citizens of Sabah genuinely have a pressing need for an enhanced public transportation system.

When services are well-executed, people are more inclined to utilize them. The board's ultimate objective is to transform public transport into an effortless, secure, comfortable, and accessible choice for every segment of society. This includes facilitating travel to hospitals, schools, workplaces, and community centers, reducing the reliance on private vehicles.

The BAS.MY service, colloquially known as the "Pink Bus," was officially inaugurated a few months ago and operates at stops near Queen Elizabeth Hospital I and II, as well as Kota Kinabalu International Airport. The board also plans to introduce additional stops in critical areas like Luyang Health Clinic, Likas Hospital, Tanjung Aru, and Kepayan Ridge, contingent upon public demand.

However, this expansion would necessitate amendments to the procurement contract and approval from both the Transport Ministry and Finance Ministry. Additionally, 1,106 school bus, hire-car, and taxi drivers throughout Sabah have been granted a one-time RM1,000 assistance payment. The Pink Bus service runs daily starting at 5:30 am, with buses traveling at intervals of roughly 15 to 30 minutes. Passengers can access bus schedules and real-time bus locations via the LUGO mobile application.