RapidPenang Ignores The Transportation Needs Of Disabled Persons

The report that RapidPenang will not be bringing in buses accessible to wheelchairs is disappointing news (The Star - April 4, 2006: Courtesy classes for Penang bus drivers). The statement by Datuk Dr. Teng Hock Nan is a step backward for Malaysia in respecting the rights of disabled persons in the area of transportation and mobility.

The statement that wheelchair users need special buses is not only incorrect but misleading as well. In the Asia-Pacific accessible buses are already widely used in Japan and Australia to serve not only wheelchair users but the general public. These non-step buses are also convenient for senior citizens, pregnant women and adults with prams as the floor of the buses are flushed with the height of the bus stops.

Dr. Teng’s statement is also in contradiction to Minister of Transport Dato’ Seri Chan Kong Choy’s announcement that the transport needs and interests of disabled persons will be included in the Public Transport Master Plan (NST - March 13, 2007: Master plan to help disabled move about). Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop was also reported to have announced that the buses will be disabled-friendly (The Star - Getting feedback on RapidPenang, March 19, 2007).

In meetings with officials from Rapid KL, representatives from the Barrier-Free Environment and Accessible Transport Group (BEAT) have been asked to be patient and told that things cannot change overnight. BEAT was also reassured that all buses acquired by Rapid KL in the future will be accessible to disabled persons, especially to wheelchair users. BEAT is a coalition of 16 NGOs of disabled persons.

During BEAT’s latest dialogue with Rapid KL in March, Chief Operating Officer Mohd. Ali Mohd. Nor said that RapidPenang will acquire 120 accessible buses. Now we hear that such buses will not be brought in. After this about turn, disabled persons will find it extremely difficult to believe that the government is really serious and sincere in addressing our transportation needs. While we accept that things cannot change overnight, we are aghast that things are not moving forward but backward instead.

This is another apparent instance of intentionally marginalising disabled persons from mainstream society. Our needs should not be seen as separate and different from non-disabled persons. We have every right to use public transport as everyone else. We have been excluded from society for far too long. Mobility is an urgent need of disabled persons, especially wheelchair users. Without accessible public transport, we are left out from educational and employment opportunities. We are also unable to participate meaningfully in social, cultural, religious and political activities because of the inability to move around conveniently.

On behalf of my peers, I appeal to Rapid Penang, Syarikat Prasarana Negara Berhad and the Ministry of Finance to reconsider the decision to not acquire accessible buses. Such buses will benefit everyone. Do not make the same mistake that Rapid KL made in disregarding the needs of disabled persons. There should be no excuse now especially when the government is already made aware of such needs and have promised to solve it. Apa macam Malaysia?

—–

N E W S

North
Monday March 19, 2007

Getting feedback on RapidPenang

By V. CHANDRASEKARAN

PENANG will set up a public transportation advisory panel soon to assess and gather feedback on RapidPenang and the proposed monorail system.

Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said the panel would comprise representatives from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the state government.

“The state will brief the panel, starting off with RapidPenang. We want the system to fulfil the people’s needs,” he said.

The state would provide concessions to senior citizens, students and the disabled, he told reporters after attending a meeting with Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop here yesterday.

RapidPenang, expected to start operations in August, is a subsidiary of RapidKL that is owned by Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd.

Nor Mohamed said 80 buses would ply the main roads while 40 would serve feeder roads and 30 would provide services in villages.

The buses would be disabled-friendly, he said, adding that 267 workers would be employed and the fare affordable.

The existing bus companies would continue to carry on as usual, he said.

He said the new public transport system would cost R51mil – RM31mil to buy buses while the rest as working capital for five years.

He said two RapidKL buses were now in Penang to test out the routes.

Citizens for Public Transport (Cepat) coordinator Dr Choong Sim Poey said Cepat had been pressing for the setting up of an advisory panel to voice out views and complaints from the public over the public transportation system.

“I am glad the state has responded positively. We will see whether we are invited,” he said.

North
Wednesday April 4, 2007

Courtesy classes for Penang bus drivers

He said the drivers would also be trained to be considerate and res-ponsible.

This was because many com-plaints had been received about drivers who were reckless, rude and rough to passengers, he said.

“We have also advised RapidPe-nang to be cautious when hiring bus drivers,” he told a press conference here yesterday.

RapidPenang acting chief executive officer Douglas David said about 200 bus drivers would be recruited for the service which would be starting in August.

Dr Teng also said the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB) was expected to approve the routes and fare structure for RapidPenang buses by end of the month.

Working together:(From left)Penanti assemblyman Datuk Abdul Jalil Abdul Majid,Dr Teng,Datuk Keramat assemblyman Ong Thean Lye and David looking at some documents on the new bus system.

He said the state was working very closely with RapidPenang to finalise details of the routes.

“We are also working out the fare structure including day and monthly passes, passes for students, senior citizens and the disabled,” he said.

Dr Teng said the state had ordered 150 low-floor buses from China for the bus service.

“For the time being, we will not be having special buses for the disabled who use wheelchairs,” he said.

CADANGAN KEPADA
KEMENTERIAN PENGANGKUTAN MALAYSIA
UNTUK MENYERTAKAN KEMUDAHAN MUDAHCAPAI (ACCESSIBLE FACILITIES) DALAM PELAN INDUK PENGANGKUTAN NEGARA
oleh Barrier-Free Environment & Accessible Transport Group (BEAT)

Pengenalan
Pengangkutan awam yang sempurna adalah salah satu tunjang pembangunan negara. Ia merupakan garis yang dapat melengkapkan titik-titik dalam aktiviti sosial, pendidikan, ekonomi, politik, keagamaan, kebudayaan dan seterusnya. Tidak dapat dinafikan bahawa pengangkutan adalah amat penting dalam kehidupan seharian setiap warga Malaysia dalam zaman moden ini.

Sistem pengangkutan perlu mudahcapai (accessible) kepada semua golongan masyarakat. Pada masa kini, sistem pengangkutan yang sedia ada masih tidak mengambil kira keperluan golongan yang mengalami kesulitan pergerakan (mobility impairment) termasuk orang kurang upaya (OKU), warga mas, ibu yang mengandung, orang dewasa dengan kereta tolak dan kanak-kanak.

Kesan Kekurangan Pengangkutan Mudahcapai di Malaysia
Pengangkutan awam darat, udara serta air masih tidak mudahcapai, tidak selamat dan tidak mudahguna untuk golongan-golongan tersebut, terutamanya OKU, dan kami merasa tersisih dari arus pembangunan negara. Oleh sebab pergerakan kami yang amat terhad maka peluang untuk kami serta menyumbang tenaga dalam masyarakat pun amat terhad, khasnya OKU yang mempunyai kecacatan yang teruk. Golongan ini adalah satu kumpulan yang paling tersisih kerana tidak terdapat sebarang pengangkutan awam yang mudahcapai serta mesra OKU terutamanya bagi mereka yang berkerusi roda untuk memenuhi keperluan pergerakan mereka dari satu tempat ke tempat lain.

Setiap polisi, perancangan awal dan reka bentuk serta pengurusan alam bina dan pengangkutan awam perlu dirombak semula dengan menggunakan Model Sosial Ketidakupayaan yang mengutamakan kebolehcapaian dan alam bina bebas halangan. Kalau dilihat dari perspektif yang dipraktikkan sekarang, OKU dianggapkan sebagai punca masalah, di mana golongan OKU dikatakan tidak dapat menyesuaikan diri dengan alam sekitar. Tetapi apabila dilihat pada keseluruhannya, masalah ketidakbolehcapaian ini adalah tanggungjawab institusi yang membuat keputusan di peringkat perancangan, rekabentuk dan operasi perkhidmatan yang tidak mengambil kira kesulitan yang akan dialami oleh OKU jikalau kemudahan tidak mudahcapai dan tidak mudahguna didirikan.

Kemudahan Mudahcapai Memanfaatkan Semua
Keperluan mudahcapai tidak patut dilihat sebagai satu ciri tambahan atau luarbiasa. Golongan OKU dan sesiapa yang akan memanfaat dari kemudahan ini adalah sebahagian dari masyarakat dan setiap kemudahan awam sepatutnya mudahcapai dan boleh digunakan oleh sebanyak orang mungkin, termasuk OKU.

Cadangan
Dengan itu, kami ingin mencadangkan kepada Kementerian Pengangkutan Malaysia untuk mengambil kira tentang isu-isu mobiliti dan kemudahcapaian, dan menyertakan polisi mesra pengguna tidak kira keupayaan fizikal ataupun apa-apa kekurangan lain apabila merangka Pelan Induk Pengangkutan Negara.

1. Piawaian, Perlaksanaan dan Pemantauan
i) Bagi melaksanakan cadangan yang akan dinyatakan perwakilan dari pihak OKU (Access Advisory Group) mestilah disertakan di semua peringkat dalam segala perbincangan, penggubalan polisi dan keputusan perlaksanaan yang berkaitan dengan pengangkutan.
ii) Satu Piawaian Pengangkutan Mudahcapai (Standard of Accessibility in Transportation) untuk memastikan segala kemudahan mesra adalah mengikut reka bentuk yang berfungsi dan selamat digunakan.
iii) Satu badan penyelaras harus ditubuhkan untuk memastikan polisi pengangkutan mudahcapai dilaksanakan dengan sempurna.
iv) Semua infrastruktur dan perkhidmatan dalam rangkaian pengangkutan awam mesti mudahcapai dan mengikut piawaian yang ditetapkan ataupun mengikut piwaian antarabangsa yang sedia ada.
v) Satu tempoh masa (time frame) perlu ditetapkan di mana kategori-kategori pengangkutan yang masih belum mudahcapai mesti mematuhi piawaian tersebut, misalannya 25% dari bas awam mesti mesra pengguna/OKU dalam tempoh 2 tahun, 50% dalam tempoh 5 tahun dan seterusnya.
2. Pemandu OKU dan Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan
i) Pejabat-pejabat Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan mesti mudahcapai. Pada masa ini, OKU mengalami masaalah apabila hendak berurus di pejabat-pejabat Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan disebabkan oleh halangan-halangan fizikal dan pembinaan yang tidak mengikut ciri-ciri mudahcapai.
ii) OKU yang ingin memandu terpaksa berurusan dengan beberapa bahagian di JPJ untuk mendapatkan lesen dan kelulusan ubahsuai. Dicadangkan supaya satu bahagian dipertanggungjawabkan untuk mengurus segala permohonan tersebut.
iii) Di samping itu, bahagian yang sama dipertanggungjawabkan untuk mengeluarkan pelekat (sticker) untuk meletak kereta ubahsuai OKU di tempat yang dikhaskan. Kereta yang tidak menunjukkan pelekat tersebut harus di denda atau tindakan sewajarnya dikenakan.
iv) Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan harus bekerjasama dengan Jabatan Kerja Raya dan mana-mana pihak yang berkenaan untuk merangkakan satu piawaian untuk membina laluan motor yang mengambilkira dimensi motor ubahsuai OKU.
3. Perancangan dan Penguatkuasaan
i) Memastikan semua infrastruktur dan kenderaan pengangkutan awam yang dilancarkan dari tahun 2007 dan selanjutnya adalah bercirikan mudahcapai.
ii) Memastikan bahawa segala polisi yang dibuat dapat dikuatkuasa dari segi undang-undang supaya polisi-polisi tesebut bukan sekadar sahaja di dalam kertas tetapi dizahirkan dengan sebaik mungkin. Adalah penting untuk melantik jawatankuasa pemantau yang terdiri daripada golongan OKU untuk meneliti serta memberi pandangan kepada polisi serta penguatkuasaan polisi-polisi tersebut.
iii) Memastikan bukan sahaja pengangkutan awam bercirikan mudahcapai dan mudahguna tetapi pusat-pusat yang berkaitan dengan perkhidmatan pengangkutan awam hendaklah diubahsuai atau dibina bercirikan mudahcapai.
iv) Ciri-ciri keselamatan dalam pengangkutan awam juga harus dititikberatkan. Walaupun pengangkutan awam adalah mudahcapai namun ciri-ciri teknikal seperti penempatan golongan OKU didalam pengangkutan awam tersebut perlu di ditandakan dengan nyata, misalnya tempat khas untuk pengguna kerusi roda didalam bas, LRT dan lain-lain.
v) Melaksanakan sistem kuota untuk memastikan syarikat-syarikat teksi yang diberikan lesen memperuntukan seperatusan teksi yang mudahcapai, misalnya 10% daripada 100 teksi mesti mudahcapai dan mudahguna.
4. Pengangkutan Darat:
i) Semua perhentian bas dan perhentian keretapi/rel bandaraya (urban rail) dibina bercirikan mudahcapai untuk memastikan ia sesuai digunakan oleh semua golongan masyarakat.
ii) Laluan persambungan (connecting pathways) ke perhentian bas mesti bercirikan mudahcapai mengikut piwaian dan undang-undang yang sedia ada.
iii) Semua bas awam mestilah jenis non-step untuk kemudahan pengunaan golongan OKU, warga mas dan mereka yang mempunyai kesulitan pergerakan ataupun menggunakan kerusi roda.
iv) Semua rangkaian keretapi dan rel bandaraya (urban rail) mesti bercirikan mudahcapai dan selamat digunakan.
v) Sila rujuk kepada Lampiran 1 untuk cadangan seterusnya. Lampiran 1 telah disediakan sebagai memorandum kepada Rapid KL untuk melaksanakan rangkaian bas awam di Lembah Klang mudahcapai.
5. Pengangkutan Air:
i) Semua pelabuhan untuk pengangkutan awam air mesti dibina mengikut ciri mudahcapai dan selamat digunakan.
ii) Pengangkutan air awam seperti kapal dan feri mesti bercirikan mudahcapai.
iii) Keselamatan semasa menggunakan perkhidmatan pengangkutan air mesti diutamakan.
iv) Satu garispanduan mesti dirangkakan untuk tujuan tersebut.
6. Pengangkutan Udara:
i) Semua lapangan terbang dibina bercirikan mudahcapai untuk memastikan ia sesuai digunakan oleh semua golongan masyarakat.
ii) Lapangan terbang domestik yang tidak mempunyai aerobridge mesti dilengkapkan dengan ambulift untuk menyenangkan OKU memasuki kapal terbang.
iii) OKU mesti dikecualikan daripada bayaran perkhidmatan seperti menggunakan kerusi roda, pembantu untuk orang buta dan sebagainya seperti yang sedang dilaksanakan oleh syarikat-syarikat penerbangan bajet. Kerusi roda dan pembantu untuk OKU adalah keperluan asas dan bukan satu kemewahan.
iv) Syarikat-syarikat penerbangan mesti dilarang memaksa penumpang OKU menandatangani surat lepas tanggungan (indemnity letter) sebelum menaiki kapalterbang. Memaksa OKU menandatangani surat lepas tanggungan dan jikalau arahan itu tidak dipatuhi, OKU dilarang dari menaiki kapalterbang adalah satu perbuatan diskriminasi yang nyata terhadap golongan OKU.
v) Syarikat penerbangan mesti melaksanakan satu tatacara yang sistematik untuk mengurus segala isu berkenaan dengan penumpang OKU.
vi) Satu jawatankuasa untuk memantau dan memastikan segala pembaruan yang dibuat terhadap pengangkutan udara di Malaysia haruslah mudahcapai dan dilaksanakan secara sempurna.
vii) Memastikan syarikat penerbangan yang beroperasi di Malaysia dapat memberikan pendedahan secukupnya untuk memastikan pekerja-pekerja di luar lapangan terbang dan di dalam kapal bersedia membantu OKU dalam segala segi yang berkaitan dari masa seorang OKU menaiki pengangkutan udara sehingga OKU sampai ke destinasi yang ingin ditujui dengan mewajibkan kakitangan-kakitangan tertentu menduduki kursus cara mengendalikan OKU.

Pengangkutan Awam Di Pulau Pinang
BEAT mengalu-alukan pengumuman oleh Perdana Menteri pada 20 Februari 2007 bahawa Rapid KL akan menubuhkan satu rangakaian bas awam di Pulau Pinang yang diberi nama RapidPenang. Kami berharap RapidPenang tidak membuat kesilapan sama seperti di Lembah Klang di mana keseluruhan perkhidmatan bas awam adalah tidak mudahcapai dan tidak mesra OKU.

Kami berharap Kementerian Pengangkutan bekerjasama dengan Kementerian Kewangan dan mana-mana kementerian lain yang berkenaan untuk mendapatkan bas non-step untuk kesemua 150 buah bas yang dibeli kelak. Golongan OKU tidak seharusnya menderita disebabkan oleh kesilapan sesetengah pihak yang tidak mengambil kira keperluan OKU dan mereka yang mengalami kesulitan pergerakan yang ingin menggunakan perkhidmatan bas awam.

Pada masa yang sama, rancangan rel bandaraya Pulau Pinang yang telah diluluskan mesti mudahcapai kesuluruhannya apabila beroperasi nanti. Tidak ada sebab yang munasabah mengapa golongan OKU disisihkan lagi dalam projek ini yang sepatutnya memanfaatkan semua lapisan masyarakat.

Dalam pada itu, kami menyeru Kementerian Pengangkutan, Kementerian Kewangan, Rapid KL, RapidPenang dan mana-mana pihak yang mewakili pengurusan projek tersebut untuk berbincang dengan pihak-pihak yang mempunyai kepentingan (stakeholders) dalam perkhidmatan bas awam di Pulau Pinang, khususnya pengguna-pengguna bas dan pertubuhan-pertubuhan OKU untuk menyelami keperluan mereka serta mendapatkan maklumbalas dan keperluan mereka dalam pembangunan yang terbaru ini.

Kesimpulan
Pendek kata, cadangan-cadangan dan pendekatan yang dipohon oleh OKU janganlah dipandang sebagai keterlaluan, bahkan izinkanlah kami yang dilabel OKU diberi peluang buktikan keupayaan kami mampu berdaya saing, satu komponen modal insan yang dapat menyumbang dalam menyempurnakan visi Pembangunan Negara yang diilhamkan oleh Perdana Menteri kita.

Barrier-Free Environment and Accessible Transport Group (BEAT) merangkumi 16 Pertubuhan OKU dan beberapa individu seperti disenaraikan di bawah:

• Persatuan Damai Orang-Orang Kurang Upaya Selangor & Wilayah Persekutuan
• Beautiful Gate Foundation for The Disabled
• Malaysian Spinal Injuries Association
• Persatuan Mobiliti Selangor & Kuala Lumpur
• Persatuan Orang-Orang Cacat Anggota Malaysia
• Society of the Blind in Malaysia
• Malaysian Association for the Blind
• Society of the Chinese Disabled Persons Malaysia
• Persatuan Kristian Shuang Fu untuk orang Kurang Upaya Kuala Lumpur
• Persatuan Pemulihan Orang Cacat Selangor & Wilayah Persekutuan
• Selangor Cheshire Home
• Malaysian Information Network on Disabilities
• Dignity & Services
• United Voice (Self-Advocacy Society of Persons with Learning Disabilities Selangor & Kuala Lumpur)
• Selangor Council for Welfare and Social Development
• Majlis Paralimpik Malaysia
• Christine Lee Soon Kup
• Naziaty Mohd. Yaacob
• Peter Tan Hua Choon

Cadangan ini telah disediakan oleh:
Peter Tan Hua Choon
V. Murugeswaran
28 Februari 2007

State took us for a ride, say bus firms
22 Feb 2007
Adie Suri Zulkefli

GEORGE TOWN: After years of failing to buck up, bus companies in Penang are now pointing the finger at the state government for the messy public bus service on the island.

They have accused Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon’s administration of making them a scapegoat for the failure of the public transportation system here.

Bus company Milan Travel Sdn Bhd manager Lim Pheam Hock alleged that the state government washed its hands off the problem.

Lim’s buses ply the Pengkalan Weld-Bayan Baru route under the revamped system which took effect on April 1 last year.

“It knew our constraints but did nothing to help us.

“The state government was supposed to get a federal loan and help us upgrade our fleet but they are now going back on their word and telling the whole country that we are the culprits,” he said.

Lim said bus companies needed the loan badly as they were barely making a profit.

“We have absorbed much of the cost so that passengers can travel by paying a minimal fare.

“No one seems to appreciate this,” he added.

Lim said the company had invested in 20 additional buses to complement their existing 40 but it would now have to bear losses once RapidPenang took over the bus services on the island.

The bus companies in Penang will plan their next course of action at a meeting soon.

“We are the ones who have been taken for a ride all this while.

“However, everyone is now blaming us for failing to provide an efficient bus service,” KGN-Hin Bus Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Hamid Araby Md Salih said yesterday.

He said the state government had failed to live up to its promise of providing financial assistance to bus companies in Penang to upgrade their fleet of vehicles.

Hamid and Lim were commenting on the announcement that the public bus service in Penang would soon be managed by RapidPenang, under the Ministry of Finance Incorporated.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had announced on Monday that the government had agreed to appoint the company following an appeal from the state government.

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Rapid Penang will make its competition buck up
23 Feb 2007
Sharanjit Singh

BALIK PULAU, FRI.:
Public bus companies in Penang have been told to stop whining and improve their performance if they want to remain in business once Rapid Penang starts its own service.

The bus firms were told that while the government had no intention to revoke their licences, they will need to buck up and compete with Rapid Penang.

Finance Ministry parliamentary secretary, Datuk Seri Hilmi Yahaya, said all the companies will be allowed to run and the ones that provide the best service will eventually attract the most passengers.

Hilmi said the bus companies in Penang had been given numerous chances to buck up but they failed to do so and continued to provide shoddy service. This caused people to complain and the State government was put in a spot.

“We tried to help them in many ways, including asking them to merge in order to remain competitive. However, they did not want to do so and their services continued to deteriorate,” he said, adding that the government could not allow the situation to go on.

He said passengers should be able to enjoy a reliable and efficient public transportation system once Rapid Penang comes into the picture.

Hilmi said Rapid Penang will ensure that all its bus drivers are trained and able to provide professional and courteous service.

Meanwhile, Bukit Bendera Member of Parliament Chia Kwang Chye said the establishment of Rapid Penang is the best solution to the woes of bus passengers.

“The State government has made a lot of effort to solve the problem of shoddy bus service. The Federal Government also realised the seriousness of the situation and decided to come in and help,” he said.

Hilmi and Chia were asked to comment on claims by bus firms in Penang that they should not be made scapegoats for the failure of the system.

They accused the State government of abandoning them when they needed financial assistance to improve services.

Their comments came following reports that public bus services will soon be managed by Rapid Penang, a company under the Ministry of Finance Incorporated. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced last Monday that the government had agreed on the company following an appeal by the State government.

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‘Stop whining and compete with RapidPenang’
24 Feb 2007
Sharanjit Singh

GEORGE TOWN: Penang public bus companies have been told to stop whining and improve their performance if they want to remain in business once RapidPenang starts its service.

The bus firms were told that while the government had no intention of revoking their licences, they will need to buck up and compete with RapidPenang.

Finance Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Seri Hilmi Yahaya said the companies would be allowed to run and it was a matter of survival of the fittest.

Hilmi said they had been given countless chances to buck up but continued to provide shoddy service.

“We tried to help them in many ways, including asking them to merge in order to remain competitive. However, they refused and the services continued to deteriorate.”

He said passengers should be able to enjoy a reliable and efficient public transportation system once RapidPenang comes into the picture.

Hilmi said RapidPenang would ensure that all its drivers were trained and able to provide professional and courteous service.

Meanwhile, Bukit Bendera Member of Parliament Chia Kwang Chye said the establishment of RapidPenang was the best solution to the woes of bus passengers.

“The state government has made a lot of effort to solve the problem of shoddy bus service.

“The federal government also realised the enormity of the problem and had decided to help,” he said.

Hilmi and Chia were asked to comment on claims by bus firms in Penang that they should not be made scapegoats for the system’s failure.

They accused the state government of abandoning them when what they needed was financial assistance to improve their service.

Their comments came following reports that the public bus services would soon be managed by RapidPenang, a company under the Ministry of Finance Incorporated.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced on Monday that the government had agreed on the setting up of the company following an appeal by the state government.

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Bus companies are prepared to compete with RapidPenang24 Feb 2007
Melissa Darlyne Chow

GEORGE TOWN, SAT.:
Bus companies that earlier blamed the State government for messing up the public transport system have made an about-turn and decided to embrace the new management under RapidPenang.

They said they would step up to the plate and compete with RapidPenang.

“At the end of the day, what matters most is that the public will benefit from better public bus services,” Milan Travel Sdn Bhd manager Lim Pheam Hock said, adding that healthy competition would enhance the overall delivery system.

Lim added that they are thankful the government has decided not to revoke their licences and that they will work with RapidPenang.

KGN-Hin Bus Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Hamid Araby Md Salih also said the public interest is their top priority.

“Healthy competition between RapidPenang and the State bus companies is good for the public.”

He added that he has no problem with the setting up of RapidPenang, but how well they perform remains to be seen.

“We will do our best to co-exist with RapidPenang and to provide better services,” he said.

Lim and Hamid were responding to Finance Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Seri Hilmi Yahaya’s comment that the State bus companies should stop whining and improve their performance if they want to remain in business after RapidPenang starts its service.

He said that while the government has no intention of revoking their licences, the bus companies need to buck up and compete with RapidPenang.

It was reported that the bus firms accused the State government of abandoning them when what they needed was financial assistance to improve their services.

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Nor Mohamed: Better bus service once Rapid Penang takes over
25 Feb 2007
By Sharanjit Singh

GEORGE TOWN, SUN:
THE public transportation system in Penang is set to undergo a major transformation.
Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said people would start seeing a change for the better once Rapid Penang took over management of the bus service.

He said 150 new buses, purchased at a cost of about RM50 million, would hit the roads by August and passengers could look forward to an efficient and reliable service.
“I know the people in Penang have been craving for a comfortable ride and an efficient public bus service. They will get it once Rapid Penang starts managing the service soon,” he said after visiting the Penang Home for the Infirm and Aged at Green Lane here today.

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150 new RapidPenang buses to hit the roads 26 Feb 2007
Sharanjit Singh

GEORGE TOWN: The public transport system in Penang is set to undergo a major transformation.

Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said people would start seeing a change for the better once RapidPenang took over the management of the bus service.

He said 150 new buses, costing about RM50 million, would hit the roads by August and passengers could look forward to an efficient and reliable service.

“I know the people in Penang have been craving for a comfortable ride and an efficient public bus service.

“They will get it once RapidPenang starts managing the service,” he said after visiting the Penang Home for the Infirm and Aged at Green Lane here yesterday.

He presented RM10,000 in aid to the centre before visiting another old folks’ home at Sungai Dua, which also received RM10,000.

Nor Mohamed said the formation of RapidPenang was part of the government’s effort to fast-track development projects in Penang.

Earlier in the morning, Nor Mohamed discussed economic and related issues with Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.

Expressing satisfaction with the economic performance of Penang, Nor Mohamed said the federal and state governments had agreed that more emphasis should be given to the public transport system on the island.

On the existing bus firms, he reiterated that the government would not revoke their licences.

“They will just have to compete and those that provide the best service will get the passengers. One or two (companies) may not be happy, but we have to do what is good for Penang,” he said.

The state of the public buses had been constantly criticised by commuters and non-governmental organisations here for many years. Promises to improve the bus service remained unfulfilled.

However, commuters have been optimistic following the announcement that RapidPenang, a company under the Ministry of Finance Incorporated, would manage the buses.

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RapidKL’s record a boon for island26 Feb 2007
P.J. GOMES, Petaling Jaya

THE proposal for Rangkaian Pengangkutan Integrasi Deras (RapidKL) to manage the bus service in Penang and the mainland should be applauded.

Its bus frequency, ticketing system, cleanliness of the fleet and disciplined and friendly staff get top marks for management.

Its expertise would definitely be useful to Penang, where I am positive the system will improve.

Bus lanes should be provided in high-traffic volume roads. Better weather-proof and user-friendly bus stops or terminals are essential.

If these are improved, then more people will leave their cars at home and opt for comfortable bus rides. The authorities should also take minibuses off the road.

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Syed Nadzri on Tuesday: RapidPenang for buses, but what about taxi woes?27 Feb 2007
Syed Nadzri

PENANG’S public transport situation must have sunk to a new low for the state government to have to seek federal help in resolving the woes.

It was announced last week that RapidPenang, an offshoot of RapidKL, would operate a bus service by the middle of the year in the state following appeals by the chief minister for the government-owned company to help overcome the maligned public bus system on the island.

The problem appears to have reached an “unsolvable” level — even for matters as local and as basic as bus services — that has caused it to be referred to the federal government.

Which leaves us with this question: What has really gone wrong?

Penang used to have one of the most efficient bus services in the country.

Who could forget the ubiquitous municipal council buses that were the hallmark of Penang public transport. These “city council buses”, as they were called, plied to almost every nook and cranny of George Town.

They faithfully served the city routes while Hin Bus took the Tanjung Bunga route, Lim Seng Seng bus to Air Itam and Yellow Bus to Bayan Lepas and Balik Pulau.

It was so easy the last time, when you could trust bus No 6 to Green Lane, bus No 7 to Waterfall Gardens or bus No 3 to Jelutong. And the Victoria Street bus terminal, near the jetty, bustled with bus-a- minute departures and arrivals.

All these are gone. There have been many attempts at revamping the Penang bus system since but all have failed. So the big question is whether RapidPenang will make a difference and bring back the glory days of the city council buses.

It was announced on Sunday that 150 new buses, purchased at a cost of about RM50 million, would hit the road by August and passengers could look forward to an efficient and reliable service.

And while at it, the state government might as well appeal for federal help, too, in resolving problems concerning the island’s deplorable taxi services.

The taxi drivers have grown so stubborn that they have managed to resist all attempts to make them use the meter to determine fares.

The most logical thing to do now is for the state authorities to apply the same strategy as that of bus services — get companies from Kuala Lumpur to operate taxis in Penang and compel them to use the meter.

Then there will be more taxis on the road, which would in turn provide the present crop with the competition they deserve.

Of course, there will be protests and the same old resistance from the Penang taximen, using the same old tricks and political tactics.

But the message must be made clear to them: Whose welfare comes first — theirs or the public’s?

Nation
Tuesday February 20, 2007

Rapid KL solution for Penang bus woes

PENANG: Rapid KL will take over the management of the bus system in Penang, putting an end to the island’s longstanding public transportation woes.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said it was the Government’s Chinese New Year gift to Penang commuters.

“Last year’s presents were the proposed second bridge for Penang and the proposed monorail.

“This year, (Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh) Tsu Koon asked for more. He asked for public transportation.

“We have allocated RM50mil to improve bus services in Penang.

“Rapid KL will manage the bus system,” he said when opening the MCA-Gerakan Chinese New Year open house at the Penang International Sports Arena yesterday.

Abdullah said this in an immediate response to Dr Koh’s plea to the Federal Government to allow Rapid KL to operate in Penang and integrate the bus system with the upcoming monorail network.

Dr Koh admitted that the state government did not have the expertise to ensure a smooth public transportation system.

He added that the state government was not keen to take up the loan offered because it did not want to be weighed down financially.

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Nation
Monday February 26, 2007

New bus service by August

PENANG: A total of 150 RapidPenang buses will ply the streets here by August, Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said.

RapidPenang will service all main and feeder roads to complement existing bus services.

Fast track approval will be given to enable RapidPenang to properly manage the state’s public transportation and encourage more Penangites to use buses to ease traffic congestion, he added.

RapidPenang is a subsidiary of RapidKL, which is owned by Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd (SPNB).

SPNB is now in the process of identifying the types of buses to purchase for the operations in Penang.

The 150 buses are expected to cost the firm about RM50mil, Nor Mohamed added.

“After a lengthy talk with Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, we agreed that priority be given to improve the public transportation services in Penang,” he said after presenting RM10,000 each to the Penang Home For The Infirm and the Aged Silver Jubilee Home here yesterday.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced last week that RapidKL would be operating in Penang to overcome the long-standing public transportation woes in the state.

Nor Mohamed said the RapidPenang management would soon brief the public on the new bus service, adding that the firm would eventually expand its operations to Seberang Prai.

He also said that the Government would not provide any special allocation for existing bus operators as theirs was a private business.

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Nation
Tuesday February 27, 2007

Bus firms expect big losses

By K. KASTURI DEWI

kasturidewi@thestar.com.my

PENANG: Existing bus companies are expecting to suffer heavy losses when RapidPenang starts operating in August.

KGN-Hin Bus Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Hamid Araby Md Salih said this was because RapidPenang – a subsidiary of RapidKL, which is owned by Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd – was more financially secure.

“We cannot compete with them as RapidKL is government-backed and they can afford to buy these new buses while we have to manage with the ones we have.

“It’s a case of placing a cucumber next to a durian with all its thorns,” he said.

He added that running a bus company was not a lucrative business and with RapidPenang joining the fray the existing companies would find it difficult to stay afloat.

Hamid was commenting on newspaper reports that 150 RapidPenang buses would be plying the streets here by August.

Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop was reported to have said that RapidPenang would service all main and feeder roads to complement existing bus services.

Hamid added that KGN-Hin directors would meet in two weeks to decide on the next course of action.

Milan Travel Sdn Bhd manager Lim Pheam Hock welcomed the Government’s proposal for the bus companies to complement RapidPenang’s services.

“We are going to face stiff competition, but in a way we have to look at it positively as our services would complement RapidPenang and ultimately benefit the public,” he said.

Citizens for Public Transport coordinator Dr Choong Sim Poey said the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board should ensure no double standards are practised if existing operators complemented RapidPenang.

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North
Wednesday February 28, 2007

Offer monthly pass option

By YENG AI CHUN

BUTTERWORTH: RapidPenang, which is expected to have 150 buses plying the roads on Penang island by August, has been asked to introduce monthly ticket passes and prepaid cards as options for commuters.

State Local Government and Traf-fic Management Committee chair-man Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan said the different form of payments, as well as cash payments, would make it easier for commuters to use the buses.

“We should always consider the convenience of the people when deciding on a ticketing system,” he said after opening a policy dialogue on sustainable solid waste manage-ment at Sunway Hotel here yester-day.

Dr Teng added that monthly passes would be more economi- cal for commuters compared to dai-ly tickets.

He said the bus fares would be decided by the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board, adding that the rates would be based on the distance and whether the bus was air-con-ditioned or not.

Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop had said re-cently that 150 RapidPenang buses would be on the road by August.

He had said RapidPenang would service all main and feeder roads on the island to complement existing bus services.

RapidPenang is a subsidiary of RapidKL, which is owned by Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd.

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North
Wednesday February 28, 2007

Commuters: Be punctual

By CHRISTINA CHIN

THE message is loud and clear - bus commuters expect a much cleaner, disabled-friendly and more efficient transportation service from RapidPenang.

Most of the commuters inter-viewed at the Komtar bus terminal agreed on one thing - punctuality is a must!

Grandmother Soo Hoo Fee, 77, said she has had enough of waiting.

“The most important thing is for RapidPenang to provide commuters with regular bus service.

“My 88-year-old husband and I are regular bus commuters because our children are too busy to drive us around.

“We normally take the bus from Batu Lancang to Komtar to visit our friends and at least four hours of the trip is spent at the bus stop.

“Once my husband nearly fainted after waiting for two hours.”

G. Nathan, 40, who echoed her sentiments, said they want buses that were new.

“I am tired of buses breaking down and old buses that pollute the air as they chug along noisily,” he said.

Retired bus driver P. Krishnan was optimistic that RapidPenang would provide better service to commuters.

“RapidPenang is a subsidiary of RapidKL, which has a lot of experience in tackling public transportation.

“I was in Kuala Lumpur last month and found RapidKL buses to be quite efficient and well-main-tained,” he said.

The Paya Terubong Resident’s Association vice chairman said the majority of the association’s 1,200 members relied on public transpor-tation.

“Many of them have complained about being late for work because the buses are never on time,” he said.

For Sabrina Din, 42, polite bus drivers clad in spiffy uniforms would be nice.

“If RapidPenang can ensure that its drivers are friendly, it will en-courage tourists to use our public transportation,” she said.

Clerk Candy Choo, 40, said overcrowded buses should be a thing of the past.

“I hope RapidPenang will strictly enforce the maximum passenger limit. Every time I take the bus home from my office in George Town, I feel like a squashed sardine! Getting on and off the bus is almost impossible,” she said.

When contacted, state Local Government and Traffic Manage-ment Committee chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan said the finalised bus routes would be announced on March 13.

“We will hand over all our plans for Bus Negeri Pulau Pinang to RapidKL and I will announce the details of the new public trans-portation system during a press conference,” he said.