{
  "id": 15112467,
  "title": "Loke: Rapid Penang starts electric bus services with 15 vehicles, targets 75 by March 2027",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/loke-rapid-penang-starts-electric-bus-services-with-15-vehicles",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-17T03:56:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/10/17/loke-rapid-penang-starts-electric-bus-services-with-15-vehicles-targets-75-by-march-2027/239425"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "GEORGE TOWN, Oct 17 — Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook launched the electric bus service operated by Rapid Penang, commencing with 15 vehicles, with the goal of expanding the fleet to 75 by March 2027. Speaking at the Rapid Penang Depot in Weld Quay, Loke revealed that the initial batch includes 14 buses, each measuring 8.25 metres and one bus measuring 12 metres. He explained that the smaller buses are advantageous for navigating Penang's roads, particularly in densely populated areas, as they can maneuver through narrower streets. Loke emphasized the initiative's alignment with Penang's commitment to reducing carbon emissions, describing it as part of the public transport sector's contribution to a more environmentally friendly state. The first procurement phase entails acquiring 250 electric buses, with 175 allocated to Rapid KL, a statement from Rapid Bus confirmed. Loke clarified that the RM200 million investment covers all 250 buses across this phase, distributed in two delivery stages. The first stage, scheduled for completion by December 31, will see Rapid Penang receive 40 buses and Rapid KL receive 110. A total of 150 charging units have been installed at nine depots, with an additional 100 units planned for six depots to support the second stage, which is expected to commence deliveries in January and conclude by March 2027.",
  "summary": "GEORGE TOWN, Oct 17 — Rapid Penang began operating its first 15 electric buses today, marking the start of its tra...",
  "key_points": [
    "Rapid Penang launches electric bus service with 15 vehicles",
    "Fleet expansion targets 75 buses by March 2027",
    "RM200 million investment covers 250 electric buses"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The deployment of specialized electric bus sizes signals a shift toward integrating sustainable public transport into the narrow, densely populated street layouts of Penang to reduce the state's carbon emissions.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Penang rolls out first 15 electric buses, full fleet by March 2027",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/penang-rolls-out-first-15-electric-buses-full-fleet-by-march-2027",
        "published": "2026-10-17T03:49:47.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Loke: Rapid Penang starts electric bus services with 15 vehicles, targets 75 by March 2027",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/loke-rapid-penang-starts-electric-bus-services-with-15-vehicles-15117172",
        "published": "2026-10-17T03:56:32.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Penang kicks off electric bus service",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/penang-kicks-off-electric-bus-service",
        "published": "2026-10-17T04:42:36.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malaysiakini",
        "title": "Loke: Impossible to ban foreigners from Rapid KL buses",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/loke-impossible-to-ban-foreigners-from-rapid-kl-buses",
        "published": "2026-10-17T06:28:49.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}