{
  "id": 15123948,
  "title": "Penang kicks off electric bus service",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/penang-kicks-off-electric-bus-service",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-17T04:42:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/10/17/penang-kicks-off-electric-bus-service"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Penang inaugurates electric bus service with Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd commencing phased deployment of 250 electric buses. Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook inspected the EV fleet at Rapid Penang depot in George Town. The first phase will see 150 buses deployed by Rapid Penang, while Rapid KL receives 175 buses. By March next year, all 250 buses will be in service. Transport Minister Loke highlighted the environmental benefits and reduced noise levels of electric buses, cautioning authorities to adapt traffic management in densely populated areas. Prasarana Malaysia Bhd aims to procure 1,600 electric buses by 2031, replacing the current diesel fleet. The rollout includes two sizes of electric buses: 12m and 8.25m, to accommodate varying traffic demands and passenger capacities.",
  "summary": "Transport minister Loke Siew Fook says the electric buses mark a new era for Penang’s public transport, offering a quieter and more environmentally friendly travel experience.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "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",
        "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-15128158",
        "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."
}