We will continue this effort so that more people will use the public transport in our country, especially in the Klang Valley, says Loke

By ALIFAH ZAINUDDIN / Pic By MUHD AMIN NAHARUL

The monthly travel discount cards on RapidKL transport network have surpassed 100,000 issuances as the government seeks to woo more people to abandon their vehicles and opt for public transportation.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the number of discount cards issued thus far has been good.

“So far, more than 100,000 people have subscribed to these passes. This is a pretty good achievement because it shows that the move is welcomed by the people.

“We will continue this effort so that more people will use the public transport in our country, especially in the Klang Valley,” Loke said at the launch of the bus shuttle services from the Putra Heights light rail transit (LRT) station to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and KLIA2 in Subang Jaya yesterday.

The unlimited monthly travel passes offered by RapidKL — My50 and My100 — were introduced to alleviate transportation costs for daily commuters. At the same time, the government hopes to boost the ridership of some of the services which had fallen short of their initial construction targets.

At RM100 monthly, subscribers get an all-access pass for all Rapid Rail and bus services for 30 days. The RM50 pass gives a similar unlimited access, excluding the Bus Rapid Transit.

The government has allocated a maximum of RM240 million in Budget 2019 for the initiative, but has only spent about RM10 million for the current 100,000 subscribers.

Loke had earlier launched the airport shuttle services by Prasarana Malaysia Bhd and Hafeena Sdn Bhd. Prasarana, through its subsidiary Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd, and Hafeena’s Jetbus are offering shuttle services from the LRT station in Putra Heights to KLIA and KLIA2.

Prasarana’s RapidKL is selling a combo ticket at RM10 which comprises one-way rail and bus rides to KLIA and KLIA2. With the combo ticket, pass holders can take Rapid’s rail line from any of its LRT or mass rapid transit stations to Putra Heights, and take the shuttle bus to the airport.

Jetbus sells a direct one-way ticket from Putra Heights to KLIA and KLIA2 for RM4. The journey takes approximately 40 minutes.

Also present at the ceremony were Prasarana group president and CEO Datuk Mohamed Hazlan Mohamed Hussain and Hafeena GM Lee Hock Tiam.

Meanwhile, Loke said news of a possible disbandment of the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) is just a rumour, and that the commission is operating as usual.

“It is just a rumour,” he said, when asked if there was any proposal to disband or consolidate the commission with the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM).

The Malaysian Reserve recently reported quoting sources that the ministry had received a proposal to disband Mavcom and to integrate the commission’s functions under CAAM.

Mavcom is created to oversee the commercial aspects of the airline industry under a Parliament Act. It is given the task to defend and protect the rights of airline passengers. It is funded from the RM1 fee charged on departing passengers from local airports, except travellers who are using the Rural Air Services or in transit.