With effect May 31, 2025, Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd (Rapid Bus) will expand and complement its existing routes to more areas in the state.
Among the seven routes through its Proof of Concept (POC) phase for the period of three months are –
1) Zone Alma via four vans – The new van rote will complement the existing bus route 708 (Bukit Mertajam – Junjung), 801 (Penang Sentral – Nibong Tebal) and 802 (Bukit Mertajam – Nibong Tebal).
2) Zone BM City via three vans – To complement bus route 606 (Bukit Mertajam – Kepala Batas), 701 (Bukit Mertajam – Penang Sentral), 702 (Bukit Mertajam – Penang Sentral), 707 (Bukit Mertajam – Taman Pelangi), 708 (Bukit Mertajam – Junjung), 709 (Penang Sentral – Machang Bubuk), 802 (Bukit Mertajam – Nibong Tebal) and CT14 (Bukit Mertajam- Komtar).
3) Zone Bayan Baru via three vans – To complement bus route 301 (Weld Quay – Relau), 302 (Weld Quay – Batu Maung), 303 (Weld Quay – Bukit Gedung), 304 (Persiaran Gurney – Bukit Gedung), 306 (Hospital – Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Pulau Pinang), 308 (Sungai Nibong – Gertak Sanggul), 401 (Weld Quay – Teluk Kumbar), 401E (Weld Quay – Balik Pulau) and CT13 (Bayan Baru – Seberang Jaya).
4) Zone Bertam via two vans – To complement bus route 601 (Penang Sentral – Kepala Batas), 606 (Bukit Mertajam – Kepala Batas) and 610 (Kepala Batas – Tasek Gelugor)
5) Zone Balik Pulau via two vans – To complement bus route 401E (Balik Pulau – Weld Quay), 403 (Balik Pulau – Pulau Betong), 404 (Balik Pulau-Pantai Acheh) and 502 (Pekan Genting, Balik Pulau – Weld Quay).
6) Zone Transkrian / Nibong tebal via two vans – To complement bus route 801 (Nibong Tebal – Penang Sentral), 802 (Nibong Tebal – Bukit Mertajam) and EB80 (Parit Buntar – Penang Sentral).
7) Zone Batu Kawan via three vans – To complement route 708 (Bukit Mertajam – Junjung), 801 (Nibong Tebal – Penang Sentral) and 802 (Nibong Tebal – Bukit Mertajam).
“Throughout this period we will monitor the demand and ridership usage to ensure the relevance of these new routes,” said Amir Hamdan, chief executive officer (Operations) Prasarana Malaysia Berhad.
Meanwhile, till mid May 2025, this service is in operation in six zones with 31 buah vans. On an average, 1,828 people are using these vans thus showing positive feedback. Operations hours are from 6am to 11pm. Passengers only pay RM1 per ride.