Malaysia’s first electric buses for the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Sunway Line launched yesterday, 1 June.
Simply put, the BRT makes use of buses that run like the LRT, but have dedicated roads and stations that provide commuters with seating, escalators, shelter, and lifts.
The buses will serve seven stations: Sunway-Setia Jaya, Mentari, Lagoon, SunMed, Sunway University-Monash, South Quay and USJ7, the last of which is only set to operate next year. To celebrate the launch of the bus service, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has announced that passengers will enjoy two months of FREE rides, from now till 1 August.
Commuters who wish to make use of the Park ‘n’ Ride facility at the Sunway University-Monash station, however, will have to pay a flat rate of RM 4.
Najib also expressed his wish for the BRT project to be replicated nationwide. “I would like to see this project being carried out in other parts of the country,” he said.
This project, which cost RM634 million to execute, is a collaboration between Prasarana Malaysia Berhad and Sunway Berhad. It took 27 months to complete, and will come with 15 eco-friendly buses that can achieve top speeds of 80km/h. Commuters will also be able to enjoy free WiFi on board the buses.
Needless to say, this service is a good start towards easing traffic jams on Bandar Sunway’s congested roads, especially for those heading towards Federal Highway. Politicians such as Hannah Yeoh — an assemblyman for the state of Subang Jaya — have also tweeted about the service, encouraging people to try it out:
BRT Sunway Line will be FREE for two months beginning tomorrow. Try it out!
— Hannah Yeoh (@hannahyeoh) June 1, 2015
PM just launched Msia's 1st Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) today. Another milestone under the GTP for urban public transport NKRA. No traffic jam!
— Idris Jala (@IdrisJala_) June 1, 2015
The new BRT has dedicated bus route. Passengers will NO LONGER experience any traffic jam!
— Idris Jala (@IdrisJala_) June 1, 2015
Twitter user Jason also shared his view on the service:
BRT Sunway Line. The convenience is amazing. And it's free for the first 2 months!! pic.twitter.com/PqS89TNRlU
— JY (@jasonyong_) June 2, 2015
As did Niki Cheong:
The BRT is a BUS SERVICE? I've been driving past the construction for the past few months and assumed it was a train. That's a bit cool!
— Dr. Niki Cheong (@nikicheong) June 1, 2015
Sunway University Council also encouraged their students to make use of the service.
https://twitter.com/SunwayUSC/status/605306202189209600
According to Bernama, the BRT service will transport 2,400 commuters every hour this year. It is hoped that the BRT will be an efficient mode of transportation, especially to students and working professionals in Bandar Sunway.
